Bua in aghaidh an dorchadas: Victory against the dark

Credit to the translate (dot) eu site, wonderful service! For each Elven phrase, the translation is below.

Soundtrack: Nightwish's Amaranth, Riddler, Moondance or any metal tunes

Nuada

Could I still summon the birds? The bluebirds were the natural enemy of these foul sirens. Otherwise, I will buy time for them to get away. Teacht chun dom, cairde na foraoise*.

I began to blow on my pipe, showing them their task. They must assemble in huge flocks. After a moment, I finished the tune. The other people were so motionless I felt sickened. But it could not be helped. No one deserved to die like this. A squawk emitted, then a claw swept out. I dove and drew my sword to slash at it. Clang. She spun in the air, angelic and cruel. With a trill, my concentration faltered. I lost grip on my spear.

You are doomed, prince Nuada. Surrender to us. I can be your woman, your mate. Aren't I voluptuous? Dance with me.

Dizziness. My blade clattered. The lorelei smiling at me in human form, naked and tempting. She laughed as if she was innocent. Migraine throb in my temples.

I did not forget my conviction. With all my force of telepathy, I lashed out at her.

No! Diving to get my sword, I commanded it to lengthen and drove its tip through the illusion. She screamed. I held fast. How dare it charm me, unrepentant creature!

The face went cold, and the song died. As illusion broke, the creature shed silver tears. Blue blood gushed from its chest. Her red eyes stopped glowing. I ripped out Luin, panting. More flying in. Another Lorelei dove, her claws coming in fast. My spear met the impact horizontal. She kicked at me.

I hit her a few times and ran. If only they will land briefly. Were they angry for one loss?

Liz was using torches of flame to burn the rest of them. She was outside the van. Aerial attack. I ran to help her, changing spear to sword. Claws and beaks were furious and lightning quick. Fire was no use, they simply extinguished and continued assault.

"Hey you came back!" she exclaimed.

I smiled. "Of course. Get in and drive." She started the vehicle and I climbed in, parrying the remaining enemy. Wounded, they retreated upwards.

My call had worked! Sky was covered with my allies, the birds. The children looked out in wonder. Trudi and Josh cuddled close.

"Uncle Nuada you saved us! They are many birds," the girl said happily.

She had not spoken to me directly. Now she was touching my face. "Yes. You are welcome. The birds are friends."

Mentally I was drained. Liz said she would speed up. The sky was dark with fighting. Bluebirds countering the bigger avians. Most of the casualties were the lorelei. Good.

The children were a warm bundle against me. I drifted off to sleep and only came to when the vehicle bounced up. Liz touched me. "Nuada are you all right? You look awful. Thank you. For your help."

I waved her off. Except for a slight tilting of my surroundings, I felt much better. Just not able to use telepathy for now. "I promised. Wake up. We've reached." The kids stirred slowly. Josh gasped when he glanced at me, then held my hand tightly. I got out of the van, holding the sides for support. People rushed forth, thankfully Manning and HB got their attention. An elf bowed to me and asked how I felt.

"Tá mé yes. I bluebirds thoghairm. Mellonea mo chairde? Are they coming?" I asked.

"Uimh nuacht, mo leithscéal domhain. You what? That is cool!"

I managed a weak smile. His support was welcome, the lights glared.

Once I bathed and rested, I hurriedly sent a text message. Lyra, joe, where r u? haven't u left yet?

We have, on the way. Why didn't u hear my call? Was the phone reply.

Was busy. – I pressed the buttons. Too much to say.- update later. How far? No more replies. Please let them be safe. I think I would find some arrangement and track them tomorrow.

Later the demon asked to see me. He cleared his throat. I waited. "Er the kids… I- I'm happy they are safe. Birds came? How many?"

"Millions. It was nice meeting them," I said. "Do you want to come in?"

They hadn't come in for a long time already. The demon talked about Nuala's charm and other things. He did not watch tv this time. My tv is better than his, because of my services to this place. That was the standard remark of visitors, excuse to see it. I wondered why he didn't ask. Suddenly he clasped my right arm with his normal sized hand. His thoughts were messy and talkative.

You made them think of me, that was a genius idea! The kids- love you, can't wait, etc etc.

"Welcome." I laughed. Demon's smile was less shy now. "You owe me a favour. If I fall asleep tell me if they reach. It is much too long."

"Sure. Have you eaten?" His voice was a nice rumbly tone, rambling on holidays and plans. How far off and remote the concept was. I tried to eat some snacks, even though I didn't have any appetite. I must be ready to rush there on a moment's notice. "Don't forget to sleep. You look terrible."

I did get some rest, though I woke up several times. Yes I finally put a call through successfully. "Laira! When are you coming?"

"Oh, hello Nuada. We've stopped over for a break. Why the rush?"

I hesitated. No I could not cause them to panick, besides not all the regions were tainted by the eclipse yet. My hands were damp. "It is best you reach soon. Hurry. Please do not delay."

"I think we ought to reach by tomorrow or the next. Are you all right?"

I forced my voice to sound level. "Wear Luthien, do not take it off."

The next remark churned my stomach. She said, "The crisis has begun on your side? I won't take it off. But, Nuada, I couldn't contact you via our Link. Why?"

Not much time... How did she know this? I think Laira mentioned Iria's name and something else and the line went dead. My knees buckled. What happened? She appeared in my dream, the World between earth and purgatory. She was just sharing with me about her present life and our memories. My soulmate had some knowledge of this, before our problems now battling the evil? Iria must have shown her visions.

Damn, I cannot be at her side!

The halfbloods rounded up were hysterical, needed to be drugged or they would hurt themselves. Orron of the Magasi people, a wizened Fey seer, prophecized a great trial for our kind. Those with fae blood would be afflicted and come into being. I did not wish to believe in this uncertainty at first. Uriel demanded on our behalf, "But what happens?"

Nobody was calm. The Magasi only started weaving their protection mojo three days ago. A quarter of Bethmoora has been engulfedin tooth fairies ferociously massacring innocent civilians. My civilian friends lost control. It pained me indefinitely, I knew all too well the trauma of losing loved ones. But at least, I could hold my comrades one last time before they passed on. My cousin N'lan and more of the perished surfaced.

Shayra had lost her mate Anarin. It had not been a long time ago when we had spoken and joked during the Replanting. My eyes burnt. There had not been any dignity, the brave elf warrior had been engulfed by the dark swarm. There was not even a broken shard of his corpse. Shayra collapsed after weeping inconsolably. Most of the others escaped via underground tunnels fended by allies from giants to dwarves. Their armour was resistant against tooth fairies. Wave after wave of demons also unleashed against the good people.

Nuala said she'd stay with her. I offered silent counsel to the distraught male elves who could not vent their emotions. If one of them asked me why this must befall us, I consoled them. "I do not know. Try to rest." But my attention was solely upon my family reaching here. I yearned much to tell my family the white lies that all would be well. I would do Anything for them to be here with me.

"Brother. You need to sleep. You've been up for hours."

Because I suffered sleeplessness, I bedded down with my sister. Her common sense stabilized my turmoil. Shayra lay on a mattress near her, I took the other side. "Is she better?" I whispered. Nuala gestured that I lie down.

"I am sad for her. It'll be hard to bear. Maybe telepaths can erase her memories." Her hand stopped me from getting up to walk. I shut my eyes and lay down properly.

Rest, you must be in a fit condition to fight. Hellboy, Abraham and Manning can help. Where was the demon? I had not seen him anymore after yesterday.

I awoke to a poking in my mind. Nuada have you slept? I felt your uneasiness so couldn't sleep.

Lirael. I am sorry. Are you all right? Yes we are safe here. We can hear each other.

I smiled. Such good news that they were fine. Joe murmured something, his Sending was weaker. Time passed. Late morning, I went to check on the status. The radar showed nothing. Frustrating. I got a text from Joe they were close to the fountain.

Please Father, máthair chéile, uaireadóir nin mellonea*. Le do thoil. Help them to be safe and sound. I don't want to lose them. I had repeated this even before I reached their shrine. On the way, someone screamed a name. I saw a corpse. Were they the humans who collapsed when we fought the Lorelei? People were all weeping in varying volumes. Instead of contempt, a sourness sank my own mood.

The shrine was a welcome silence. I have never believed the gods would assist us, but now I have no choice. Need to trust people with more power to battle against the darkness. I closed my eyes. Father smiled. He was attired in his armour and red cloak, looked as alive as I had seen him centuries ago.

"Hello my dear son. You look well, but worried."

I was too full to speak and just gazed at him, his brightness. Then I stepped closer. He did not dissipate. "I am. I really need help this time, some forces have Turned the Feyfolk. We keep losing men. What do we do, Father? I wish you were alive. Aiféala orm, I am sorry."

My father's memories of his victories flashed before me. Rallying cries, spears and bows raised in salute, trumpets. The shadow figures recoiled from this Light burning them. I wanted to ask what are they? The Elves were not the people I met here, they were not scarred and looked perfect. Untainted. Some of them drifted and laughed.

"Who are they?" I whispered.

Like we were having a conversation, King Balor spoke to me in ancient elven:

"Our ancestors, Cinn ársa. Aeons ago, this was the war against the shadowlords. Our Great Father has informed us that Bethmoora is besieged by them again. Every era, people will succumb to necromancy and dark alchemy."

I nodded. Yes so this was the reason why. These invincible wargods suppressed and defeated the Evil ones. The evil became small black figures but did not die. Instead, some transformed into avians and crawlers to retreat. "Most importantly how do we triumph again?"

"Our weapons, Nuada. Remember you are named after the wargod himself. You have his Will, intelligence and courage. Do not falter. You must use our natural instincts to fight, the unique silver weapons and blades, use them. The little fey are of assistance in the forging of more weapons and traps."

He seemed a frail wisp now. I shook my head, overwhelmed. "Do not leave me! I need more time, Alateir. Where is mathair?"

Mother appeared beside him. She bestowed a kiss on my forehead. I kept my eyes open as long as was bearable. She sang to me. From sorrow and weakness, an immeasurable fountain of inner will and fresh courage broke through. Thank you. I tried to resist them going away but... I returned to consciousness, lying on the floor. My brow was slick with sweat. I sat up.

Someone rapped the door. I stood up brushed the dirt off my clothes and opened it. Salem stood outside with some of my brethren. "What happened, Nuada? We were outside for hours." He held me close. "

I smiled. "I do not know for certain."

They looked to me for answers. Should I tell them? The importance of ensuring enough of our weapons were in pristine condition was priority. Quickly the others left to see to those matters. Some wanted to contact smiths.

But my retainer did not budge. He stared at me in awe. "What is it?" I clasped his arm and we walked down the corridor.

"I don't believe you lost your hearing! I was hollering till I got a sore throat. Someone saw you come here and…" Salem insisted.

I gently consoled him. He relaxed as I pieced together the mystery. I lowered my voice, "Do not tell anyone else. It will spook them. We must concentrate on the danger at hand."

Salem protested, gripping my arm. "It is dangerous that you collapse. What if we can't call you back? I don't want you to die."

"I will not. I have to help you. Do not worry. I've always come back sane, it is not easy to kill me." He sighed heavily. I made him promise again not to tell anybody about this. Well, had to trust he would keep his promise.

However much I tried, the phonelines were dead. There was also no telepathic signal.

That evening, I asked some of the people more experienced in summoning. I must search for them.

Hellboy had gone with people to meet my friends halfway. Still, I had a feeling that I must go to their aid.

Laira

HB was here. Now we were in their pickup. Nuada had sounded so frantic on the phone as he urged us to pack up and take leave. Yes we had done so. His tone was arrogant and I know he only sounded like that when he felt lost.

The time was upon us. Iria had warned us the Halflings. Red peeked out of the vehicle. "So why do we need protection again?" Joe asked as we climbed in.

"Monsters, demons. Look don't worry. I'm experienced with them."

I did not fear. Red looked resolute. Around twenty agents were here, some looked like special units. Their badges were different.

"He saved my kids. Your elf is funny. He's proud and funny. I came early and just got here," he said. A flash of his reunion with his children. How glad I am they are safe. Nuada glanced around, then he seemed to look directly at me.

I Sent: hey we're with demon now. My skin itched, my hands especially. Whiter. What the—Red stared in astonishment. "Bro did you feel anything strange?" I could not reveal exactly what happened, though I truly wanted to. They said I looked like Nuala now.

Clearly a string of words called to me to summon the beast. He is needed. I intoned them softly. Nothing. Then chaos exploded into the fray! HB drew his gun and flung open the back doors. He cursed.

"Sis take these." Joe handed me some daggers. But I had only learnt staff fighting. I almost forgot about these. But either that or guns, and I didn't know how to load guns. I could See what Nuada had taught me, hear his advice. Seek their weaknesses, be objective, protect yourself.

Finally he replied- what happened?

I don't know. I look different. How's your side? But it was the last thing I knew. Lost contact. We fended off a misshapen hand. It reeked. I stabbed it. The thing retreated and roared. Red fired at a mass of walking creatures. "Undead! Shit! Keep them at bay guys. You both stay here inside."

He rushed outside opening fire. I hoped the guardian would come soon. After a moment, Red came back actively and told the driver to keep moving. We must not be still. "The main guy got away. It was a largely unseen mass of bulk, don't want to scare you guys. What matters is we reach our safehouse. You are not scared?"

Joe declared it an adventure. I nodded. "I'm ready. Not scared. Nuada will come."

Was I sleeping? A furry beast focused on me with lavender orbs, its whole form shimmering. I couldn't see what it was. "Are you the Guardian?" I couldn't see what its form was.

It purred padding over and nudging me. I held its head and smiled. Should be. It was catlike in shape and features, feline. Long curved tail in a question mark. "What is your name?"

"Junos." He licked my hand. I stood up with his body as support. I was not dreaming. We were together standing near a group. I called out but the people did not hear me. beside them! Huh?

HB turned and said something. No sound, I couldn't hear them too! The van had overturned. Was I lying there? Nope. By its charred and mangled heap, something had damaged it badly. Junos why can't they hear me? We need to get there.

Feline regarded me solemnly. I bumped into something when I tried to leave. Ok let me try to reach the elf. Nuada can you hear me? I'm trapped. It's me! the others are outside and they don't seem to see and hear me.

I don't mind being trapped but I couldn't stay here. Stranded. Suddenly the cat got in front, arching its back and expanded. As we both headed toward the unknown darkness behind me Junos scooped me up so I was dangling by my sweater and he bounded into the air. Oh no! flying? My bracelet flared, its brilliance showing my beloved's name. The snake came alive. "Luthien! Please tell me what's up?"

"They are all right. For the moment. Hellboy and Joe are fighting. We are in another, plane. The van was consumed by some darkness and crushed." It hissed at Junos. I climbed on his back again. There was a kind of saddle so I wouldn't slip. "The prince will come. it will be his chance to repay you properly. Elves won't forget."

"I don't want him to be hurt." Now my friends would lapse into more danger! I shouldn't have called him. The place was like a floating existence on its own, nobody nor spirits was present. We were alone. The bracelet acted as a light and Junos walked, sometimes pranced forward. I did not need reins to ride him, soon I had got seasoned to him. It is smoother than a horse.

Glass images showed Red bleeding from a shoulder and reloading his gun, humans firing, Joe slashing with two swords. I had seen them as daggers just now. Nuada appeared in another glass, he was looking worried. Some of the fey told him stuff, and he took out a compass to look at. My fingers brushed his face.

The cat panted. It stopped. He looked exhausted. I got down and touched his head, You must lead. We are lost in this vortex.

Since Junos was tired, I walked beside him. This was some kind of alternative space. The question was how would I lead? I had a map or seen the place before. We walked on for lost moments. Then the cat grunted, pointing to a right. "That looks like a new path."

I said, "All right." Dead end. A wall and no door! In the surface near me, I saw Joe being knocked over by a large beast. I glanced at him.

What to do? I had to try on my own. Iria said I was unsealed. I will be fully Elf. I looked at my scarred hand. Do you accept? She had asked.

And I had agreed. A rune came to mind, a key turning slowly. The key was pint sized and only the size of a pinky. A stick with a v shaped end to stick into the lock.

I touched both to the wall. Junos shouted: hurry! Just as a large black form raced over. Cold breath. The cat yowled.

Open! Open on my command. Bring us back to them. You must work. The Lady Iria promised. I must save them. I fixed Red's warm and friendly image in my head and focused. Now! The wall rumbled and the key spun in a hole. A doorway slowly groaned inwards as we pressed. Luthien hissed. "Come!" I stepped forth.

The air was fresh. Junos curled about me in figure eights. No trace of the vortex remained. We were back to the humanworld! Sounds of fighting, vicious. Eagerly, my cat ran to them, pouncing on some undead. HB shouted my name.

"Hey sorry I'm late!" I took out my knives and got ready. Little black guys went down or dispersed. They were afraid of silver? I did not get hurt at all, my bracelet formed an aura which deterred them naturally.

But guns weren't good. Some agents were shivering and the guns were melted down by the undead. Red sagged.

He gasped. "Don't bother me. Find the others, and get out."

"No! I won't leave you." I retorted. Finding a stick and testing it, I realized it could be used as a staff. Since the attacks had let up on my end, I knelt beside the demon. He was gritting his teeth and his ambers were pained. Blood welling behind and he could not quite reach it.

"Is there a first aid?" I yelled to a woman who was bandaging someone's leg. She tossed me a small kit. I unraveled the bandages and folded them tightly around his shoulder. Hellboy coughed, but it sounded weird. He was laughing?

"Never thought you are a nurse, kid."

"I'm not. Don't move. I think you can shoot from here. Use your rock hand." I helped him to move his gun. Red nodded. Defensive position, only hit any who came close. Couldn't see my bro anywhere! Nuada will come for us.

I won't give up. Luthien repeated that Elf needed time to find us. Cool! I chuckled hitting the next person.

*máthair chéile, uaireadóir nin mellonea -mother, please watch over my friends

Le do thoil- please

teacht chun dom, cairde na foraoise- come to me friends of the forest.

I bluebirds thoghairm. Mellonea mo chaired- I summoned bluebirds, did my friends call?

Uimh nuacht, mo leithscéal domhain- No news, I am sorry

-look out for next part, haha. Nuada-action!