Chapter 3
Hello all! I would like to say thank you to all that follow my story. this is the first story i have ever posted on Fanfiction so all of you who like my story should review and tell me what you think! But be kind... otherwise Alyssa will turn you into a frog!
3hours later (around midnight)
There was no way Alyssa could sleep. The glow from the back of the cave was keeping her up. Her mother was asleep. Her brother was practically in a coma. Since they had fallen asleep the glow had simply gotten brighter. It was practically screaming her name. She couldn't resist the mystery it presented.
She rolled away from Mordred's back, silently and slowly so as not to wake him up. She crept towards the light and saw that the back of the cave turned into a set of tunnels, the one on the far right was lit up with the light that was calling her. She gave one last look to her mother and brother's sleeping forms and followed the light further into the labyrinth.
Alyssa must have gone for a long time. She had taken so many turns that she was now worried about finding her way back out, but the light was so bright now that she could see every detail in the walls. She had to be close now, but there was no way of knowing because there was another sharp turn up ahead.
She reached the edge of the turn and was about to go around when something made a noise behind her. It was like a bunch of pebbles had been thrown in her direction. Alyssa looked back where she had come from, but it was like the light stopped right where she was standing.
"Illustras," she whispered the spell and light flooded the tunnel for a moment. Mordred stood in front of her with a look of extreme guilt on his face.
"I thought you promised mom you wouldn't."
"And I thought you were asleep. Looks like we're all getting disappointed tonight. I'm sorry, but I had to know why she didn't want me here."
"I know. You couldn't help yourself. I felt the pull too."
"Yeah, but you have some self control. Come on. We're going to have to hurry if we want to be back before mom wakes up."
The two of them went around the corner, and stopped. All around them, in the walls, the ceiling and the floor, there were crystals. They were gorgeous and they were all different colors and sizes. There were some bigger than Alyssa's hand. This part of the cave was full of color and the air was full of power. The magic in this place was tangible, as if magic had been practiced here forever and the power it left behind had been trapped inside.
"Mordred, do you feel that?"
"Yeah, I do."
"What do you thi-" but Alyssa didn't get to finish that thought because a crystal at the back of the cave began to glow so brightly that it blinded them for a moment. Then, when the light receded, a woman stood in front of them. She wore flowing purple robes that matched the color of the stone she'd come from. In her left hand she held a wooden staff that looked as if it had seen the passing of many years. What caught Alyssa's attention though, were the woman's eyes. They were a metallic silver that matched Alyssa's magic perfectly.
"Alyssa."
"How do you know my name? And who are you?"
"I am Crystallus, keeper of the cave. And I know your name because you have been summoned to this place of power by the magic of the earth itself. You have been called here because your destiny is to be the key to changing the future of a kingdom."
"What are you talking about? I'm just a child, and a poor one at that. How could I be the key to changing the future of a kingdom?"
"Your destiny is to be able to change what has been written. The prophecy of the once and future king can only be changed if you are able to figure out how to do it. Magic and the fates are calling upon you right now, but you choose whether or not to take the path they have set before you. If you take this path, you may be able to improve the future for the better, in more ways than one."
Alyssa looked to her suddenly very silent brother for his reaction to this. His mouth was hanging open and his eyes were huge. He wasn't offering any help right now.
"If I am to accept destiny's path, what will happen to me?"
"If you are to choose the path laid before you, then I will be your guide. Much as the dragons are the guides to the dragon lords, or the cards are the guides to those who can read them. I will help you in any way I can."
"Are you sure I will be helping anything?"
"If you choose this path, you may free magic users of all kinds. You will help your kind and help to bring peace to the entire world. The earth has shown me this."
"Then, I will choose this path. If I can help my kind then I will do whatever I can."
"Are you certain? Once you start down this path you will not be able to turn back."
"I am certain. What must I do?" Of course, this is when Mordred wakes up.
"Alyssa! No you cant! What will mother say?"
"Mordred, I must do this. If it is for the betterment of all magic users then I will do what magic wishes of me. Crystallus, what must I do?"
"Firstly, you must take this," She reached towards the crystal she'd come from and a flash of light much smaller than the first turned it into a small silver chained necklace. The crystal hung from it, much smaller than before. "This is how you will speak with me. I reside in the crystal and when you need me, all you must do is call upon me." Alyssa took the necklace from her outstretched hand and clasped it around her neck. "You cannot lose it. Its magic binds it to you until your destiny is completed and magic has released you from your path."
"So, how do I get started on this path magic has set up for me?"
"Your path starts far from here, brave heart. I will give you a moment to say goodbye to your brother."
"What?! Can he not come with me?"
"Your brother's destiny lies with this time and this place. Your destiny, though entwined with his, lies far into the future. This is a place where he cannot follow."
Alyssa felt her eyes tear up and turned to her brother. Mordred's eyes were full of anger and pain. He pulled her into a tight hug and her tears spilled over.
"Tell mom what happened okay? I don't want her to worry about me. I'm sure I'll be fine. I have Crystallus to help me."
"Are you sure you want to do this Alyssa? We may never see each other again."
"Of course we will," Alyssa pulled away to look him in the eyes. She had to prove to him, and herself. "She said our destinies are entwined. How could they be connected but not allow us to see each other again?"
"You're right. Like usual."
"Of course I am."
Alyssa walked out of his embrace and up to Crystallus.
"What do I have to do now?"
"I will say the spell. All you have to do is hold on tight to my staff, else you may be lost to a time in between."
"Alright," she took hold of the staff. It pulsed with the energy of magic. "Goodbye Mordred. I will see you again. I promise."
"Goodbye Alyssa. I promise I won't forget you," he raised his hand in farewell and then all Alyssa could see was bright, purple light. Then, there was darkness.
Translations:
Illustras- illuminate