In the main hall, Tás stopped to watch the sunset. Níya joined him on the ledge of the short wall that ran along the main hall. Crowds of people walked along the passage going about their daily rituals. Behind her, Níya heard a laugh. Oh, Takadí! Not Brak. Please don't let it be Brak and Gíus. She turned around and there stood a tall man with biceps the size of his face. Next to him stood a scrawny man with a smirk on his face.
"Brak, Gíus, what a surprise!" Níya rolled her eyes as she turned back to the sunset.
"Hello, my darling. Is this the chump prince we've heard about? He doesn't look like much. I'll get rid of him for you." Brak pulled out a dagger and prepared to attack Tás. Níya unsheathed her long knife and pointed it at Brak.
"Get out of here, Brak. You too, Gíus, go on. Bye-bye." She stepped toward the dynamic duo with her knife extended. They knew better than to mess with Níya when she had a blade out. Gíus hastily left; Brak reluctantly walked away.
"What's that guy's problem, and why did he call you 'darling'?" Tás was more upset about that comment than the insult.
"He thinks he's going to be the future 'King of Súria'. My parents think I should marry him, but ultimately, it's my decision who I wed. Nothing about him is appealing to me. All the young noble ladies would die to be his wife, all because of his beauty. As for his skill with a sword, he's fairly good, but not skilled enough to defeat me. He's never beaten me. It's kind of sad how hard he tries."
They began to resume their walk when Níya suddenly felt very dizzy. She fell back down onto the wall ledge.
"What's the matter, Níya? Are you alright?" Tás helped hold her up.
"I feel strange. My whole body aches. Did something hit me?"
"No, you just fell over. I'm going to bring you back to your chamber." He picked her up and she fainted. "Níya! Níya! Wake up!" The next second, she was gone.
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When Níya woke up, she was lying on a cold floor. It wasn't stone or metal; it was different. A gust of wind sent shivers down her spine. She looked around at her new environment. White stuff was raining from the sky.
"I've heard of this stuff. It's called snow. Wait. If this is snow, then I'm in Pórux." She turned around and saw a giant temple. "It's the Light Keeper's Temple." A bright light came out of the top tower. It floated down to the ground and stopped just in front of Níya. "Exada!"
The light dimmed and revealed the Keeper of Light. "Princess Níya, I'm sorry for bringing you here like this, but I'm desperate. I need your help."
"What are you talking about? You're the Keeper of Light. How could I possibly help you?" Níya took at step forward and waited for an answer.
Exada lifted her hands and they were both engulfed in light. "Don't be scared. I'm protecting us from Matevak's eyes. He can't know what I'm planning. The Dark Watcher has gained enough power to overthrow all of the Keepers. He is about ready to attack Rikani's temple. He wants all of our powers. Currently, the Keeping Abilities are separate and limited. If the abilities are united to a mortal soul, then there is a chance to defeat Matevak. The Prophets have been told to place their powers in the Sacred Gems. I'm going to give you this necklace. Each Sacred Gem has its own slot in the necklace. The Keepers will give you their jewels when you meet them. You must travel across Kabíli and collect every jewel and put it in its place. I'll lead you on your quest when you need help. For now I will give you my illusion ability. I still need my powers of light."
The Keeper of Light lowered her hands and Níya woke up in Tás's arms. Around her neck hung a gold chain with sixteen facets. One held a small white jewel.
"What happened? One second you were here, the next you were gone. Now you're back." Tás was almost in tears. He looked so worried.
"Exada is sending me on a quest to save the world." It sounded just as weird out loud as it sounded in her head. Tás's look of concern quickly turned to one of confusion. "I'm sure you feel very lost, but I need to go do something."
She began to walk away when Tás grabbed her arm. "I want to help you in your quest. Where are you going?"
"I'm going to Rikani's temple. Matevak is going to try to take away her Keeping Abilities. When I help Rikani, I have to go to the all the Prophet's temples. After that, I don't know what I'm going to do. Exada said she will instruct me. For now, I need to protect Rikani's powers." Níya began walking again and Tás followed.
"So, what is the necklace for?"
"It is to hold the Keeping Abilities. Each Prophet has two abilities. There are a total of sixteen facets, so I think I have to somehow find a way to get Matevak's abilities, too. I'll know later. I just need to concentrate on getting Rikani's jewels for now." Tás was still confused, but he decided to stick by his new friend. She was probably going to need some help.