Revelation

II: The Start of Something Big

Ten Years Later…

The early morning dawn begins to brighten up the once dark skies of night as Storm the mongoose was fast asleep in his dormitory. His dream wasn't like his usual calm ones of the surrounding area he's explored. He stood in a clearing of trees with mountains standing tall in the distance with their snow-capped peaks. 'Where is this place and where am I?' He pondered to himself as he walked further into the surrounding woods taking in all the detail of what was around him. The flowers were brightly colored and trees in their late autumn colors. 'This place seems slightly familiar, but I just can't tell where exactly-' "I found some more wood for the fire. This should keep us supplied for the n-" Storm turned towards the sound, but didn't find the owner of the young voice. The voice spoke out again, but instead it was in fright and sadness, "MORGAN!" There were footsteps on the grass followed by the same voice whispering out, "Morgan… please wake up Morgan…" and the surround scenery began to fade leaving Storm awake in his bed, but instead of well rested, slightly unease by his dream. He sat up with his legs crossed underneath the covers and arms relaxed on his knees. "What a weird dream," he said to himself, "I haven't had one like that for awhile. What's more unnerving is how familiar and at home it was in that forest." Storm got out of his bed and put on a fresh tunic and pants. "One thing is for sure though. I know the name Morgan from somewhere, but I don't know where for sure." He walked out of his dormitory and down the hall walking carefully so as to not wake up anyone else. He picked up the list for supplies that were needed for the day and headed out into the early dawn. Storm enjoyed going out early in the morning before the rest of the monastery was awake. The time gave him time to think over things he had on his mind.

Some vendors in the market began setting up shop, while others were sitting back sipping tea or other assorted beverages as they waited for their customers. Storm approached a shop with an old Raccoon shifting some boxes around. "Good morning to you Saul." He called out. The grayed raccoon looked up. "Well if it isn't my best customer, here once again to greet his old friend." Storm chuckled, "Well, I have stopped by once again for the usual supplies with a question too." Saul looked curiously at Storm as he took the list from him. "And what would the question be?" He asked. Storm set his elbows down on the oaken counter of Saul's stall. "Have you heard of a person by the name of Morgan anywhere around here? I know you are familiar with most of the people around this area of land." "Morgan, Morgan… Nope, the name doesn't seem familiar to me. Is she a friend of yours?" He replied after putting the last of the supplies in a sack. "You could say that. Had a dream about someone calling out the name Morgan, and the voice calling out the name seemed connected to me somehow." "I'm sure things will fall in place eventually. Say, I almost forgot something. Happy birthday Storm." Saul said as he laid a small parcel on the counter. "Thanks Saul. You're memory hasn't budged an inch all these years." Storm said. The old raccoon shrugged, "I try to keep it in check. Also, someone else left a parcel for you with me. They didn't say who they were, but they knew you. Here it is." Saul brought out a small box that was bound with black-leather. "Like I said, the person didn't leave a name or anything. They just said that they knew you. Sorry I can't give you much more than that Storm." Storm picked up the small box and put it in his satchel and picked up the sack of supplies leaving the usual amount of coin in its place. "Thanks Saul. I'll see you tomorrow at the same time. Thanks for the gift too." He said before walking back up the path towards the monastery. His mind was now mulling over a new thing. Who left the black box for him and how they knew him. Golden streaks began pierce the gray sky as the sun stirred in the east framing the red and tan stonework of the monastery.

Storm placed the sack in the kitchen and returned to his dormitory to see what Saul had given him for his birthday. Inside the parcel was an old book from the famed collection of books Saul kept with him while he traveled. The title was gold on a dark blue cover and read The Early Days of Verona. "Good ole Saul and his book collecting passion. I'll have to thank him tomorrow and start reading it tomorrow." Storm set the novel on his bedside table and took out the black box. "Now, what is inside you?" He said as he searched for an opening or a latch. "Hmm. A box with no lid. All there is, is a marking of a trinity pressed into the leather. Other than that I don't see anything that could be a way to open it." Storm set the box next to the blue book and walked out of his dormitory to begin his day. "Good morning Storm!" It was his childhood friend and mentor, Madeline. "Good morning Madeline. Why are you up so early?" He asked. She caught up with him and pulled out a small pouch. "I have your birthday present. Hubert helped me make it." "You don't have to always give me a gift you know. It is just a birthday." She pulled out his hand and placed the pouch in his palm. "Today isn't an ordinary one though. It's your 16th birthday. It's a milestone." Madeline implied. Storm had no choice. He knew that once she made up her mind, he had no choice, but to accept or do what she said. "You're right as usual. This doesn't mean I won't still tell you about the gifts each year." Madeline smiled and place her hands behind her back as she watch Storm pull open the pouch and pull out the cross necklace. The necklace was made out of four nails bent and melted together to form an iron cross. Wrapped around the center meeting point was some blue wire and a black cord was strung through the nail loops at the top. "It's wonderful Madeline. Where'd you learn to make something this cool?" Storm said as he turned the necklace over in his hands marveling at how well everything was put together. "I was reading through some old books in the library and found the design in a book about the elementalists. I thought it was perfect and showed it to Father Hubert so he could help me." She replied. Storm loosened the cord and put it around his neck. "It's great. Thank you Madeline." She smiled at him glad that he liked her gift. "We better hurry up and get to breakfast before everything is gone." She said. The two friends walked and chatted as they made their way to the dining hall.

The day passed like others had before it with everyday tasks everyone had, that had been moved around in order to celebrate the birth of one of the monastery's members. Storm retired to his dormitory earlier than usual after finishing up the last couple of chores he had. He took off his tunic and replaced his tougher pants for softer ones he used as sleeping clothes. Storm reclined against the headboard of his bed and picked up the blue book and began reading through the table of contents. The book contained information on topics ranging from locations of old villages to the tales of old wars. It also had a few drawn in pictures of what a place roughly looked like during that time of age. As he looked through the table, a section caught Storm's eyes. "Elementalists and the Trinity…" He said to himself. The title reminded him of the small box that had a trinity imprinted on it. Storm flipped to the page and began reading.

'The Trinity is said to be the preferred sign that the elementalists used on flags to signify themselves among different villages. Others used them to seal things such as doors to personal quarters or a treasure room filled with personal treasures or family heirlooms. Other signs such as a cross can also be used or the Star of David, but each elementalist is marked with a trinity on their dominant hand.'

The phrase 'used to seal things' stood out to Storm the most as he read on.

'Things sealed by an elementalist are rarely opened by others since each elementalist uses their own way to open their own seal. Tombs of elementalists are protected by such seals so they don't become targets for grave robbers looking for treasure. Little is known about how a seal is created on an object other than it is imprinted with the sign.'

Storm stopped there and looked back at the black-leather box. The imprint seemed to stand out more than he remembered. Storm rubbed his hand over the mark and found that it was covered in a fine, black dust. Beneath was a brilliant shine of steel with a blue tint to it. "Maybe it's a puzzle box with a hidden lever that opens it." After much pushing and twisting Storm set the box back down and lay down in his bed. "Perhaps a nice sleep will help me figure out the trick to the box." He said sleepily. His dreams weren't clouded with the strange voice calling out Morgan this time. Instead Storm was in what appeared to be a cavern with dark crystals. In the dark center of the room a deep voice called out to him, "In due time we will meet, but for now I'll let my pets play with you, to test you as you grow. Until we meet face to face Stormsurge Vairehëim." The scene changed to the forest side southeast of Oaktree Grove. Two figures were walking out onto the road leading to town. Storm didn't like the feel the figures were giving off. They felt ancient and strong, and didn't behave like any other Veronians he had met before. "The town should be just ahead." "Are you sure Ragha?" The taller figure looked towards the other. "Positive. The new one is there as well." "Böromer will be pleased to know. You can finally redeem yourself this time as well after the… last time." "I do not wish to discuss that Mora. Just keep walking." Again the dream faded, but it stayed dark leaving Storm concerned with what these things were and why he was having dreams about them.

The next morning was shrouded with a thin veil of mist, which was strange because mist doesn't usually appear this early in the fall. Storm was on his way back from the marketplace after picking up the usual supplies and thanking Saul for the book. As he was walking up the path back to Trinity Monastery, Storm thought about the latest dream he had last night. 'The new one is there as well.' The strange thing's words echoed in his mind making the air feel colder. Storm kept walking while staring at the ground until he bumped into someone. "Sorry. I wasn't paying attention to where-" Storm's voice left him as he looked into a black face with red eyes. The creature smiled with pleasure. "So," it began, "you're the new one we have been sent to kill." The voice was the same as the creature Mora's in his dream. Storm felt a tugging in the back of his mind, but didn't pay much attention to it due to the fear he felt staring at this creature. "I am Mora-third generation sil'lis. My friend behind you is Ragha. He's tried to kill you before, but didn't succeed since you're here and not dead." Ragha growled back at Mora, "I said I didn't want to talk about it Mora. I'm here to finish the job I started ten years ago." Ragha grabbed Storm's right shoulder and threw him to the side of the path. Storm felt the stinging sensation of gravel scratching against his skin as he fell heavily on the ground. "I hope you've enjoyed the past ten years of living because you won't get to have many more after this day Stormsurge Vairehëim." The sil'lis lunged, as Storm stood up clutching his shoulder where he felt the warmth of blood beginning to appear.

Madeline watched from a window in the monastery as the sky began to darken. "Where could Storm be? It's not like him to be this late from getting the supplies." She said with an edge of worry in her tone. Father Hubert walked up from behind and placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her. "Don't worry," he said calmly, "Storm is a strong lad and he'll be able to take care of himself if he runs into trouble." Madeline kept looking out the window as a distant lightning bolt flashed across the black horizon. "I hope so Father." She was close to Storm, but didn't feel like just a friend to him. They were almost like kin since they met. Even though it was weird that he had seen a lady like her in his dreams. "I'll let you wait here for him Madeline. I'll see if someone is willing to help with your tasks." She turned around and hugged Hubert. "Thank you." She whispered out. Hubert could feel that she was close to crying. He knew she and Storm were very close together and that even though this didn't appear to be a big issue of being late for an errand-something didn't feel right in the air with Storm being absent. When Father Hubert left to continue his day Madeline put on a cloak and went out the search for her friend.

The tugging sensation was getting stronger with the passing moments of the battle. Storm was trying his best to avoid the sickle the sil'lis was using to impale him with. Although he was quick Ragha feinted one way and swung its arm catching Storm in the chest and flying into the trunk of a tree. Storm slumped against the bottom of the tree in a daze watching lights flash around his vision. Ragha breathed heavily after catching the mongoose, "Now… to end this." The sickles split at the top into long, ebony fingers and Ragha moved his hands to the center of his chest with his hands in a position as if they were holding something. Thunder rumbled in the darkening sky as the sil'lis prepared to kill its prey. In the space between its hands a red orb began to appear enveloping the arms of Ragha in a red aura. Ragha pulled its hands apart leaving the orb floating a few feet in front and swung them behind itself. "Welcome to the afterlife." Ragha swung its poised arms forward clapping the orb of energy between its hands sending a wave of the energy towards Storm. Time began to blur and slow for Storm as he became aware of the tugging in his head. He concentrated on the feeling and felt a strong presence of something inside of himself. A few bolts of lightning began to glint through the dark clouds as Storm let the presence wash throughout his body filling him with energy. Without thinking, the power inside surged and Storm felt himself starting to speak, "You won't finish your job this time either Ragha." The sil'lis's eyes widened as Storm rose up and thrust a hand out stopping the energy wave in its tracks. Ragha staggered backwards as he saw the bedraggled mongoose dissipate the energy. Storm began to glow with energy sending of small bolts of electricity and threw back his head letting out a mixed shout and cry. A lightning bolt feel down and struck Storm creating a pillar of light from the ground to the dark skies above like a beacon at sea guiding a ship in to bay. The sound echoed across the tree tops like the rolling thunder above and reverberated in Ragha's head. "N-No. That's impossible. I was t-told that your powers w-were blocked off!" Mora broke out in laughter, "HAHAHA! Looks like you've been foiled by the kid again Ragha! HAHAHA!" Storm looked towards the laughing Mora. "To bad you decided to tag along too." Mora looked up to be hit by a blast of blue energy and thrown into the side of a boulder. "I would have much rather been the only one present at the time when Ragha is beat once again." Ragha took this time to gather its senses and lunge at Storm while he was occupied. Storm's eyes darted back and sent a chill down Ragha's spine. These weren't the eyes of the out-of-control mongoose he faced ten years ago. This time the eyes were fierce and ready to face the sil'lis. Each time Ragha thrust or swung its arm Storm would lean one way or the other to avoid them. Storm grabbed one of the arms and stopped Ragha in its tracks. "I remember our first battle Ragha. You ran last time, but now you won't be able to." Storm said with a flat and lifeless voice meaning every word he spoke. Storm pulled Ragha's arm toward him and thrust the palm of his right hand into its chest. Storm began to return blows landing each one on the sil'lis. Ragha tried to block the attacks, but each time it tried the mongoose would land another one somewhere else. Ragha's vision was starting to blur with the flurry of blows and from the weakness of trying to endure the onslaught. Storm stopped attacking Ragha with a kick to its chest. He stood over the now broken sil'lis with his sapphire eyes glowing like lightning in the clouds, "I am Stormsurge Vairehëim-the first generation of the new elementalists. Go back to your master and tell him this for the next time we meet will be the end of your existence." Ragha saw Mora clamber out of the wreckage of the once large boulder and knew how he could beat his foe. He looked at Mora to see if its companion was looking back. Mora understood the signal and took the moment to jump the mongoose. With its arms wrapped around the mongoose Ragha staggered up from the ground to look at his prey struggle. The energy's glow had faded from Storm's frame and left him unable to repel his enemies. Madeline came around the bend to see Storm in the grasp of Mora. She cried out, "STORM!" Ragha looked to see the young cat a few yards away. "So this is your back up? A young girl with no feeling of power to be felt about her? This just became too easy." Tears were beginning to form in her eyes as she heard its words. "LET HIM GO!" she yelled. Ragha smirked, "Or what? I'll be struck by lightning?" A flash of light appeared to its right. "No. You'll have to deal with me instead." Ragha looked to see the speaker and felt all his courage drain from him. In front of Ragha was a figure with a dark cloak around him and a hood over his face. On the figure's back was a two-handed sword inside a black-leather scabbard with silver designs. Storm was beginning to feel light-headed after the use of all the energy that was built up. He couldn't see who the newcomer was, but he could feel the power radiating off of them. "I am Godric Vairehëim: Master of the Vairehëim branch. Your actions today have broken the seal I have set to block the memories of Stormsurge. I cannot place it again without him having to start his life over again with missing details. Run now before I decide that Storm's mercy wasn't a fair punishment." Ragha and Mora looked at each other with blank faces and then disappeared in flashes of red light and black smoke. Storm took a step then crumpled to his knees as his sight began to darken. He saw Madeline running over to him calling out, "STORM! Don't fall asleep. Stay with us. STORM!" He rolled over onto his back and grabbed her hand. "It's okay," he heard Godric respond, "He just needs to rest after what happened." That was the last thing Storm heard before he blacked out into a dreamless sleep.