Here is another chapter. I know I said before I wouldn't launch another till the end of September as I was working on other books, I thought I might finish this chapter as I had done most of it anyway. Enjoy.
Fallen Stars Part One:
In his bed, Soren was tossing and turning unable to sleep due to the frightening lightning and booming thunder shocking him awake now and then. "Darn it weather!" he complained. He huffed. He stood out of his bed in his pink pyjamas and slung on his nightrobe. He walked to the window and looked outside, seeing nothing but darkness and suddenly flashes of white. "How am I ever going to get some sleep?".
Just as he was retreating from the window, a pale-coloured man appeared on the bright glass and he jumped back in fright. "Don't be afraid," the man in the glass was speaking. "I mean you no harm," Soren quivered in fear as he saw the man step right out of the glass, revealing a warrior dressed in a travelling tunic that bared a silver tree. A smooth horn was slung over his shoulder.
"Wait. I remember you," Soren wasn't afraid anymore. "I saw you at the Spire two years ago,".
"You did indeed,".
"You are not wearing clothing from any of the Human Kingdoms,".
"That is correct. I hail from another world. A world much different than your own. But now I have come to you at this grave hour because something terrible is coming. And your friend is in danger of walking down a path of darkness. You must protect Caroline. At all costs. It is a task you cannot fail,".
"No, Caroline will not walk down a path of darkness. She is the sweetest, kindest person I have ever met,".
"Even the purest heart can darken if they become corrupted by dark magic. I was corrupted by a ring of dark power and it drove me mad. I swore to protect a bearer of that dark ring and I nearly killed him. You must make sure the dark magic of your world does not corrupt her or she will be lost forever to the forces that have hunted her since she was a child,".
"The Cult," Soren breathed. The man nodded. "I will not let that happen. Who are you, great soldier?".
Before the soldier could answer, there was a sudden flash and…
Soren screamed, waking up on his bed. He breathed heavily wiping his eyes. "Carol…" he whispered. He twisted his head and saw a painting she had done of them, Zym, Willow and Ezran. His heart trembled. He eyed another picture from his childhood of himself and Claudia as kids with their parents. He slammed it down and fell back again on his bed, unable to shut his eyes.
"Raylan!" Carol kept on crying out his name and on and on and ….
"Such beauty," cackled a voice as cold as ice. She turned around and saw a cloaked being approaching her. She saw purple skin with stars. It was an elf no doubt.
"Stay back," she warned, electricity zapping between her fingers.
"My darling child. Why would I harm anyone like you?".
"Who are you?".
"Let's just say I'm a friend,".
"You don't sound like a friend,".
"Very well. I am a mage," the elf pulled back his hood revealing curvy, thorny horns and long white hair. "A mage of the six sources of primal magic as you will be Princess Caroline,".
Caroline's electricity dissolved. "How'd you know my name?".
"It was long foretold. Now who was it you were looking for? Your elf guy?".
Carol's electricity sparked more violently than before. "If you've harmed one hair on his Raylan…".
"I haven't harmed him one bit," the Startouch elf stood aside revealing...
"No! Raylan!". Caroline woke up panting. Ghost jumped in fright. All the objects levitating around her room dropped to the floor with clangs and crashes. Her breathing slowed, and she rubbed her eyes. Ghost crooned and sat on her lap, comforting her. Realising it was all just a dream, she hugged him tight, hoping the fear of those visions still clenching her like iron would dissolve.
It'll be okay. The dragon cleansed her face of tears. Wipe away the tears. He zapped over to a window and pushed it over.
Rays of sunset penetrated the curtains and Carol could see how extravagant the sky looked.
She smiled. "You're right. A morning flight is what we need,". She dressed herself up, opened her and climbed onto the stone railing. "Manus. Pluma. Vilantis!". Her arm-wings carried her towards the rising sun and Ghost flew beside her. They soared above the clouds of pink, yellow and purple out of sight from the castle. They played hide-and-seek and once again Ghost was the winner of the game. They soared over the forest glades towards a set of lakes Carol splashed her little dragon with her wings and he moaned. He hated getting wet. An hour passed and her back was against a tree, her dragon on her lap. "Nothing like an early active morning to start the day,".
I knew it was what you needed. Ghost chirped.
She held him up to her face. "I know we should do it more often. From now on, I promise we'll have a flight like this every day. You like that?". The little dragon just licked her face and she giggled.
"Let's hope Felix doesn't mind having a flight every morning when he gets back,".
Snap! Ghost growled. Carol hopped to her feet. "Whoever you are…" she activated her fingers with lightning. "I'd come out very, very slowly,". The bushes shook too fast. "You asked for it!"
"Wait! Wait! It's me! It's me! It's Soren!" Soren fell face-first in front of her feet. "Hey," he weakly raised his hand.
"Soren! Don't sneak up on me like that!" She vented, helping him up. Ghost growled in his ear.
"Ow! Ow! Not so loud!" he moaned, twisting a finger in his ear. Ghost blew out warm air from his nostrils. "I'm sorry I scared you like that,".
"What are you doing out here?".
"I was…ah… doing workouts here,".
Carol crossed her arms. "You were following me again, weren't you,"
Soren sighed. "Yes, I was. But I was only looking out for you. You're my best friend and I need to have your back." Ever since they had reconciled and made amends two years ago, he had become her best human friend again, replacing Claudia in her heart.
"I appreciate that, Soren, but I'm more than capable of taking care of myself. You don't have to worry about me." Carol walked towards the river and he followed her.
"Your father wanted you to be protected at all times. And I'm gonna honour his wishes and your brother's, by keeping you safe,". She closed her eyes; she hated her brother's overprotectiveness. He knew that very well. "Ezran doesn't want anything to happen to you,"
Carol huffed. "Nothing is going to happen to me,". She genuflected and allowed Ghost to snake along her arm.
"How can you know for certain? You know that the Cult are still out there,".
"Maybe but I can take care of myself. And it's only Castor and Telmar out there without magic so they'd be no challenge at all,".
"You don't that for sure. We haven't been able to find any trace of them. As long as they're out there, we're all in danger,".
"We can overcome anything together. Soren, I'm not the same little girl they tried to kidnap all those years ago. I'm eighteen years old now,". Carol's lecture paused when she saw his thoughtful eyes. "What happened, Soren? What's got you all twisted up?"
Soren sighed. "Last night I saw a man in my dreams. A man I saw when I came to the Spire to warn you and the others about my father. He said I had to protect you at all costs,". His spine tingled to the parting lips of his best friend. "I don't know who he was. He wasn't from Katolis and he definitely wasn't from any of the other Human Kingdoms,"
"Then who was he?"
"I don't know," Soren scratched his chin. "He wore a tree emblem on his clothing and he said he came from another world much different than us,".
"Sounds like another person to write in my sister's dream journal,".
"I just don't get it, Caroline. For the past two years, we have seen all these mysterious apparitions of people and creatures not from Xadia or the Human Kingdoms, all claiming to come from lands we know nothing about. And they've always been talking about great conflicts to come,".
"Whatever they are Soren, we cannot ignore them. Besides what may come could be generations ahead of us. The only thing we can do is write down these warnings and focus on the present. It does us no good worrying about the future,".
"You're right. In the meantime, you need to get back before your siblings get all frantic again,". Carol rolled her eyes and he clasped her shoulders. "It all comes from a place of love. You know that right?".
"I know. I know. We'll head back now," she led the way. Soren walked behind a bit, pursing his lips. He hadn't told her everything. Had he made the right choice?
(Ten Years Ago)
In the forest, four black-cloaked men pulled their hoods over their heads. The star-tattooed man eyed the castle in the distance dangerously.
"You're certain Viren's plan will work?" asked Lairus.
"It will have to. He wanted the information to kill the king of dragons and we're gonna give it to him once we get what we came for,".
They snuck under the trees, keeping a sharp out for any guards. None so far. But the castle's front gates and the battlements were heads shrouded in helmets on the lookout for any intruders.
"Time to take the secret entrance," Castor led his brothers towards a secret drain gate at the far back of the castle. There were two guards there. With a click of his fingers, the earth brother sent the guards into the earth. And deep underground they suffocated.
"This is going to stink," Telmar groaned. "Soon this is done the better,".
After wading their way through sewage, they finally managed to make it out of a drainage tunnel in the dungeons of the castle. With a simple cleaning spell, Castor made them dry again. "Now for the chambers,".
Young Carol sang her lullaby to little Willow tucked up in her bed, offering her a teddy bear. Harrow watched behind the doors with a fond smile. He watched as he kissed her 'goodnight'. Then she went over to Ezran and kissed him 'goodnight' before Felix licked his cheek. They yawned and Harrow tiptoed inside.
"Let's get you to bed, little one," he carried the tired princess and her fox to her room, helping her to bed and pulling the covers over her; she fell asleep instantly. He sighed, shedding tears and pressed his hand over her head. "What would we do without you?" he kissed her forehead and watched Felix purr like a cat as he lay beside her. Every candlelight was blown out around the castle once the king was in his bedroom.
"Sweet dreams princess," Castor's lips blew purple dust into her face. Her head smacked the pillow.
Under her bed, Felix peeped his head out and saw the four men leaving quietly their leader with his person over his shoulders with her hands tied up. Quickly he bounded swiftly through the closing door and hid behind a nearby tapestry before he could be spotted.
For a moment, Telmar saw a fluffy tail under the curtain and tiptoed closer to expect. "Telmar, let's go," Tellus hissed. Telmar took one last look before following his brothers down the hallways. Felix poked his pointed face out and saw them disappear around the corner. He had to act fast. Taking the opposite direction, he bounded down the corridor and around the corner and began barking, scratching against the door to the king's chambers. Guards rushed over and tried to move him away but he kept biting at them.
"Get back here you wild mutt!" a guard grabbed him by the neck. "I'll turn you into a scarf!"
"What is going on here?" Harrow pushed the doors open. "What do you think you're doing?"
"That wild animal was…"
"Put the fox down. Now," The guard obeyed and Felix whimpered. "What's wrong Felix?". Felix's ears flicked and he suddenly rushed to a window barking. Harrow followed him and to his horror, he saw the four intruders in black carrying his daughter. "Guards! Viren!"
(Present Day)
"Carol!" Willow woke up. There was nothing around her. She cried into her hands.
Pyrrah poked her head through her window, whining worriedly. Willow, what's wrong?
In a frantic state, the young princess rushed over to her dragon and hugged her tightly. There. There. It's alright. Pyrrah growled sisterly. Everything is alright.
Knock. Knock. Ezran entered. "Willow, what's the matter? I heard you crying,".
"I dreamed about the night the cult tried to kidnap Carol when she was young,"
Ezran in shock rushed over and hugged her tightly. "It's okay, sis. It wasn't real,".
"But it was so real. First, I see potential futures. Now I'm seeing horrible events from the past." she rubbed her head. "I just can't take it anymore. I feel like a total nutcase."
"Why don't we go and check on Caroline?" Ezran suggested. "That'll keep us calm,". She nodded and to that they made their way to Carol's room. "I hope she's a lot better than yesterday,". Knock. Knock. "Morning sis. You up?" Nothing. He knocked again. Still nothing. He pushed the door open. They froze. Bed empty. Window open.
The entire castle was woken up by the frantic screams of the king and the seer crying out: "The Mage is missing! The Mage is missing!". In the courtyard, Ezran and Opeli ordered guards to search the kingdom and the forests.
"U,h what's with all the rushing and screaming?" Carol walked into the courtyard with Ghost and Soren.
"Where were you?" Ezran hugged her.
"How long were you gone for?" Willow demanded.
"Guys, I was only gone for a few hours," she soothed. "I needed a morning flight to clear my head.
"you should have told us where you were going!" Ezran lectured her.
"Ez, I'm not a child. I can look after myself. Next time, I leave you guys a note," her eyebrows furrowed when she saw Willow's pale face. "What's wrong?"
"I dreamed about the night the Cult attempted to kidnap you. It felt so real. And when we didn't find you in your room, I was afraid it had happened for real,".
A shaken Carol hugged her. "Nothing is going to happen to me, sis," she pulled their brother into their hug too. "None of you are going to lose me. Never ever. That's my promise. I'm afraid you're not the only one who had a bit of a bad sleep,"
"Did you dream about Raylan?" Ezran asked quickly.
"Ez…" Willow hissed.
"Yes. But that's not what I'm trying to say. Soren dreamed about a man he saw when he came to the Spire. A man bearing the emblem of a tree from a kingdom in a faraway land and he told him that he had to protect me at all costs,"
"Another one?" Willow complained.
"I'm afraid so," her sister remarked.
She huffed. "I'm going crazy writing in that dream journal all the time. And it was already bad enough when last …"
"Willow, that dream is over," Ezran rubbed her shoulders.
Willow brushed his hands off. "I'm not talking about last night's dream, Ez. I'm talking about last week. Come with me,". She led them into the dining room where breakfast had been laid out for them by Barius and the servants. They sat in their chairs with their pets and listened intently to what she wanted to say.
"What was this other dream?" Carol asked.
Willow inhaled calmly. "In a dream two nights ago, I was on a clifftop. And I saw a Sunfire Elf with the Sun staff which was stolen from Lux Area. She was a queen. There was also a purple elf with a large horn standing tall and mighty over her. Then I saw that same elf again giving a staff. Very similar to Viren's to a human. A dark mage. The elf called himself one of the 'Great Ones'". Her words disturbed her siblings. "Guys, you don't think what I saw was real. Do you?". They could not answer. "I'm not crazy,"
"We don't think you're crazy one bit," Carol consoled. "Whatever it is you saw, it's important and it shouldn't be overlooked,".
Right after they spoke, a Sunfire bird came flying in through the window carrying a scroll. "It's from Janai!" Willow cheered, holding out her arm. The Sunfire bird landed on her arm and she took the scroll from its beak. The bird flew over to perch with Serena on a chair.
"Well, what does it say?" Ezran asked, ignoring Carol's excitement growing up on her face.
"Aunt Amaya has accepted Queen Janai's proposal of marriage!" Willow roared and so did her dragon.
"Yes!" Carol spun Ghost around.
Ezran couldn't contain his joy. "That's what Felix was doing," he realised. "We're going to get a new aunt!"
The sisters cheered and jumped around for joy in circles like little kids before sharing a group hug with their brother.
"We're going to get an aunty. We're going to get an aunty!" sang Willow in a merry voice.
"I am so happy for Aunt Amaya and Janai," cheered Carol. "We have to come and congratulate them,".
"That's what it says as well. They've invited us to their engagement party for tomorrow,".
"Hooray!" Ezran clapped. "I wish Mum and Dad were here to hear this. We must pack at once. Everything is almost ready for the big celebration and we'll be back a day before then,".
"I say we leave tonight so we can drop off the Moon Xexus for the night," Carol suggested.
"It's been a while since we last saw Ethari and it would be great to visit Lujanne as well. I'm thinking perhaps he should come with us,".
Willow disagreed. "Carol, it isn't safe for Ethari to go to Xadia. You know he's still being hunted by his people,".
"So am I and yet I'm going into Xadia. He needs to get out. We'll take him straight to the Sunfire camp and then we'll fly him right back,".
Sunrise came and the children prepared to leave on Pyrrah. Soren and Caldor would be accompanying them. "Your Majesty, I must insist that I accompany you," Gahidin requested.
"I'm afraid it would be too much weight for Pyrrah," Ezran said regrettably.
"And particular reason why you didn't include me in your request?" Akyalisa demanded him.
"Guys, we'll be perfectly alright," Willow assured them. "Besides you guys could help Opeli with all the preparations for the celebration in three days,".
"With all due respect, your Highness, we're qualified only in combat,t not party planning," Gahidin answered back politely.
"But we will do the best we can," his rival corrected for him.
"Thank you. If it's not too much trouble," Ezran said.
"Travel safe," Opeli bid.
"You know we will," Soren bade.
Carol brought up her wings and shot off with Ghost and Serena behind her. Then Pyrrah followed behind, carrying the four passengers and Bait on her back with ease. Hours passed and before they knew the caldera with the giant lake glowing under the half-moon appeared into view. They landed safely on the palace grounds and awaiting them were Lujanne, her human boyfriend Allen, their old human friend Ellis who had grown up with longer hair and her wolf Ava.
"Hello everybody," Lujanne, the Moon Nexus guardian welcomed them.
"Thank you for having us Lujanne," said Ezran gratefully. "How's Phoe-Phoe?". The Moon Phoenix landed before them and the group stroked her feathers. It's good to see you, girl,".
"It has been so long Ellis," Carol hugged her. Ellis'ss smile dropped when she saw Soren. He hadn't been to the Moon Nexus since the fiasco with his sister two years ago. Ava saw him too and growled. "It's okay Ellis and Ava,".
"So, no hard feelings?" Soren asked awkwardly.
"None at all," Ellis said bluntly. Ava growled and the Crownsguard soldier giggled nervously.
"Hello Ava," Willow scratched the three-legged wolf's chin and she cooed, forgetting all about Soren.
"I take you guys are heading into Xadia," Lujanne guessed correctly.
"Correct," Caldor unclipped Pyrrah's saddle so she could rest after their long journey. "Queen Janai of the Sunfire elves is engaged to the children's aunt: General Amaya,".
"Oh, how romantic," Ellis blinked her eyes.
"I know right," Carol cheered. "We're going to get another aunt. Speaking of which, where is Ethari?"
"He's near the lake. He's been rather quiet today," Allen informed.
"I should go and see him. You guys go and get settled in," she jogged off into the forest, Ghost shooting behind her.
At the lake, Ethari was sitting very silently watching the dim but glowing gem of his beloved husband's lotus floating underwater. "Oh Runaan, what happened to you? Why are you not here with me like you promised to me?!".
Zap! He shrieked to the poof of Ghost's teleporting trick. "Ghost!" he growled.
"Ghost," Carol marched upon them with crossed arms. "I thought we said no more using that trick on Ethari,".
"Sorry," he flew onto her shoulder and the former blacksmith greeted her with a warm hug. "It's good to see you, Ethari,".
"It's good to see you too. I've missed you,".
"I've missed you too," he pulled back and set the wetness glimmering in her eyes.
"I'm fine," Carol rubbed her tears away. "My family and I are staying at the Nexus for the night. My aunt is engaged to Queen Janai,".
"That is wonderful," Ethari praised.
"I was thinking perhaps you'd like to come with us. It would be wonderful of you to join us and you need to get out,".
The elf nodded. "I would love that very much. And speaking of love have you…".
"I'm sorry," Carol closed her eyes. "I still haven't found out what happened. But I haven't given up. I know where Viren kept him but every time I use moon magic to show me what happened, it doesn't show me all that happened. It's like dark magic that was used in there is preventing me from figuring out what he did to him. But I won't give up. I just won't,". She refused to see Ethari lose all hope of being reunited with his beloved. "I know there's something I'm missing. I just have to figure out what it is. The only clue I might have is this,". She reached into his pocket and pulled out a coin. Ethari peered closer and saw a face of a middle-aged man with dark and white hair messily sticking out of all sides of his head. "I don't know what it could be but this was all I found in Viren's chambers aside from…".
"Aside from what?".
"Viren was interrogating your husband about a looking glass that I have in my study," Caroline opened her sketchbook and showed Ethari the item. He looked at it clearly, eying the ancient ruins around the rim. His eyes enlarged.
"You shouldn't be messing with that if it's dark magic,".
"Ethari, knowing what this looking glass may be the only way to find out what Viren did to your husband. He wanted this for a reason. This was in the Dragon King's lair for a reason. I need to know,".
"All I ask is that you be careful," Ethari wished. "I don't want you putting yourself in danger like this,".
"And I still have a debt to repay you. I'm still not giving up,".
"You still haven't told your siblings have you,".
"I said I wouldn't tell them until I figured out what happened to Runaan. But I have told Soren. And I trust him to keep this secret. It was my choice, Ethari. Don't feel like you brought this on me at all,"
"Carol!" Soren's voice called through the trees. "You found Ethari yet?".
"Seems like we're being called," Ethari took her hand and led her away. "Happy Birthday by the way,".
"Thanks,".
"Sorry I have no gift to give you,".
"No need. Just seeing you is enough. I'm just really happy you can come and celebrate my aunt's engagement,".
"Did you get anything from…".
"Please don't," Carol begged.
Ethari hated himself for upsetting her. Still, he refused to see her heartbroken face shrivel up again. "Don't forget he is always thinking of you,".
They came to the palace and were happily greeted by everyone. Caldor saw Carol very tearful again and embraced her. "It's alright," he stroked her hair. "It's alright,". He escorted her away and Ghost went to play with Bait and Ava. Serena however did not want to play, afraid the wolf would mess too much with her feathers.
Opeli was walking along the battlements for a short daily walk when she saw something glimmering on the tower top just above her. "What the…. Guards!" she called. "Climb up onto that tower and find out what's up there!".
That's this chapter done. What did you all think? I hope you all enjoyed it. Carol is still determined to help Ethari no matter what. Once again thank you for sending all those ideas. I will do my best to use as many as I can but I don't want to make the story too complex or anything. What do you all think will happen in Season 7 and the potential future seasons? I would love to hear your theories. See you all later.