The mighty spell within is meant to render anyone or anything possessing magic powerless. The once floating lute begins to descend and a soft voice can be heard emanating from deep within, “Awaken, child, and save me… Such power… What are you?” The feminine voice drifts away as the might of the barrier intensifies.
Dusk is watching his husband’s frown deepen and the fingers of his left hand seem to twitch as though he has felt something he was not expecting, flow through them. When his hand moves to within inches of his jaw it prompts him to ask, “Darling, what is it?”
Raven’s eyes narrow and he replies, “Something I thought was long gone… yet I am sensing it around the Woodland’s neck.” The hero holds out the same hand in front of the barrier, suddenly his fingers snap shut and he yanks his hand towards his chest. This action makes within a crystal, that is hanging from a chin, rise from the Woodland’s neck. The sudden jolt has snapped the fine chin and it now hangs on the other side of the barrier.
When the Vern sees it is a white stone covered in red writing he gasps, “No, way!”
“Yep, one hundred percent, that is a controlling crystal.”
“Fuck! What that hell is going on?”
“I wish I knew, sweetie. Do me a favour and burn that reached thing.”
Dusk waits for his darling to collapse the Box Barrier so he can take the floating crystal from the Mage’s Claw that lies invisible within. “I’ll take that,” he says taking hold of the chain and quickly makes his way out the back. The Vern throws the crystal to the round as he makes his fireball appear near the fingertips of his left hand. The whole thing hisses as he places his long fingers around it and channels a concentrated burst at the crystal.
The white stone starts to squeak and pop under the immense heat of Vern fire. The fireball goes from a stunning bright reddish gold like Dusk’s eyes to gold which makes his eyes flash the same colour. The flames are so hot the tops of them are almost white. Dusk grits his teeth, he can feel the incantations, which run along the back of his hand down his arm, are starting to also glow from the power of his orb. Then comes a cooling ice breeze and the soft voice of the teacher, “Calm your rage, my boy, before it burns you.”
“Yè fēng, when did you get here?” Dusk asks through a series of pants.
“Oh, literally a moment ago,” answers the Crystal Master rotating his hands in front of his chest. “I awoke as if from a vision in which I saw the bard had returned to Buttervine and you both were struggling with him because of what you are burning, lad. Now concentrate your fire more on the centre and it should shatter.”
Dusk gives a sharp nod and the middle fingers of his right hand go down which directs a burst of white fire at the middle of the stone making it give out an ear piercing squeak, making them all cover their ears, until it falls silent by Yè fēng placing it in a silent barrier. The perfect barrier that contains loud annoying noises in a vacuum. The teacher shakes his head in an attempt to stop ringing in his ears.
“Damn thing, I hate it when they do that,” he moans gripping the Vern’s board shoulders. “Talk to me, my boy, are you all right?”
Dusk is unable to hear anything his old, dear friend is saying to him and his face grows with worry. “I can’t hear a thing,” stresses the Vern.
Raven comes outside to see the teacher is madly pointing at the fire orb, then at the floating crystal. “You need to project your thoughts into his mind,” he suggests, making their old friend shake his head. “Not to worry, I will.”
Dusk becomes aware of his lover’s mind within his head which calms him. He listens to it telling him what to do and he follows it through by retaking hold of his orb and directing another intense burst of fire at the crystal, shattering it into dust. Slowly his hearing begins to return, he can hear the wind within the trees and he is pleased to hear his lover saying to Yè fēng, “The Woodland has clearly been used like a puppet.”
“Who would do such a thing?” Dusk enquire with a smile to be hearing once more. “I love your voice.”
Raven gives him a hug and they kiss. They return to the room to find the Woodland is beginning to awaken and the teacher goes to check on him.
“Easy, boy, you have been through quite an ordeal,” says Yè fēng looking into the lad’s eyes.
The Woodland stares back at the Snow Elf and softly asks, “Healer, where am I?”
“A place called Buttervine,” answers the legend crouching down beside his old friend.
The Woodland’s expression speak for itself, he has no idea at all where he is and he starts to look around the room in the vague hope there is something he recognises. Then he notices another man come stepping into the dull light, he is dark red with horns sweeping over the top of his head. When he realises what he is the Woodland screams in terror and scurries away into a dark corner.
Raven rushes to calm the man wrapping his arms around him and tells him in a soft voice, “It’s all right, that big Vern won't hurt you, for he is my husband.” The Woodland stares at him in disbelieve and legend continues, “I know it is terrible, not only am I married to the same sex, he is also Vern of the Fire Planes. It’s just shocking.”
“Y-you a-are a D-D-Dark Elf,” stutters the Woodland pointing his hand at him.
The hero looks at his own hand and responds, “Ah, so I am and you are a Woodland, right, Yè fēng?”
“He is indeed and pure.”
“Is he now?” Raven questions his eyes sparkling with intrigue.
“Yes, I am not detecting any Forest Elf within him. It is looking like his family stayed within their own kind nor is there a single sign of inbreeding. That’s what I also meant by pure. Where are you from, lad?” The Woodland’s eyes blink and he sighs. “Damn, that controlling stone has done it’s job,” expresses the Crystal Master in a firm voice, “His memory has been wiped clean. Expect when he saw you, Dusk, there was a moment, a flash of something. Look at him, lad, for it might help you to remember why you’re afraid of his kind.”
This time the Woodland does not scream or try to hide, instead his green eyes begin to study the Vern which makes Dusk feel a little uneasy. “One of them took us,” he manages to mutter a moment later. “He was not like you, his eye had lost its sparkle and he was missing a horn.”
Dusk points his hands at his horns and asks, “Was it cut off or torn out?”
They give the Woodland time to collect his thoughts and he replies, “It was completely gone. A scar ran from it down his forehead to his eyebrow. Right horn and left bottom fang was also gone. He also wore a patch over his left eye.”
“Did he have wings?” Raven enquire flapping his hands. “And were they strapped up?”
The Woodland’s eyes grow wide and he expresses, “That what was strange about them, he had this large red straps going across his chest which seemed to be holding his wings into his back.” He is surprised to hear all three of them whisper the same name, “Zell.” It makes him ask, “You all know him?”
The legend sighs and he nods. “He was a member of my family who disappeared during the War. He is a master of illusions and has a thing for Unconventional Magic. Zell is responsible of the Undead Armies and the Dark Time. I cannot believe he and his minions have resurfaced again.”
The Woodland wraps his arms around his body and shakes his head. “I am starting to realise he used us… the thing is I don’t know how many more there are or where we were. I don’t even know how I got here. All I remember is walking along a beach that was covered in golden sand and pearl coloured shells.”
Yè fēng places his hands upon either side of the Woodland’s face and gives him a kind smile. “Do not worry, in time your memory should return. For now you need to come with me to get a decent meal and a comfy bed.”
“Yes, I would like that.”
The teacher helps the lad to his feet and they vanish leaving Dusk and Raven staring at a blank space.
The legend uses his abilities to pick up the lute and states, “Well, this has reacted badly to the Box Barrier. The spell controlling it is no more. Even so I am not going to take any chances.” He goes on to open a portal to Mount Ki Ō Na and uses his abilities to cast it inside to drop into one of laver lakes with a nice splurge.
Dusk pulls him close and states, “The family aren’t going to be pleased to hear Zell is back.”
“As you know the family have been preparing for this day and I know if we are suddenly apart Dandelion will take action, for you know he won't let his bother get away with it again.”
“You’re right. It still does not explain what he has done so far. Was it all just a test?”
Raven shrugs and replies, “When it comes to Zell it is anyones guess. Anyway, let’s get home so you can go to bed.”
The couple kiss and portal back to Moon Tower. Once Dusk is all tucked up in bed Raven heads to Longthorn to see his family. Scarlet is not pleased to have heard from the Healer their own hated uncle is behind it. Then again it not surprising giving his history. Sol has gone to inform their grandmother Ruby who makes sure her guards alert the rest of the family who live throughout the Fire Planes. The legend then heads to the outskirts of West District to find Rhiledo is attending to her garden. He snicks up behind her but she soon turns around to face him and gives him a kiss.
“I can’t believe Zell of all people is behind this,” she stresses. “Then I think about it and going on past events, they do seem to have a bit of his signature.”
“I see what you mean. The thing is if that Woodland hadn’t remembered, we may never have guessed. Or guessed too late and pop we are all under his influenced again.”
“Aaah! Don’t say things like that, Raven, it gives me the creeps how he can just place us all into an illusion.”
The legend pulls her close and apologises, “Sorry, my sweet flower.” He gives her cleavage a kiss.
Rhiledo giggles and carefully pushes him back so she does not get her soil covered fingers on his nice shirt. “Let me get washed up and then we can have some fun. I take it that’s what you want?”
“Yes, but also to make sure you’re all right,” answers the hero following her inside the house.
“I am fine, just thinking why now is he at it again? Why do that to those poor Valley Elves? What does he gain out of all of this?”
Raven puffs his cheeks and shrugs. “His own family have been asking that question for centuries. All we can do is remember to pack or wear our neutralising crystals and we should be fine.”
Rhiledo dries her hands and gets him to remove his shirt. She allows him to lead her upstairs and into the bedroom, where they continue to get undressed, so they can make love for most of the night.
When they both begin to feel hungry they head down to the kitchen for something to eat. Raven makes some flatbread which he presses into it herbs and nuts before cooking it on a hotplate. His lady washes some of the vegetables and fruit she picked from the garden to make into a nice salad and they sit together at the table.
A short time later Rhiledo uses a napkin to clean her lips before she asks, “Raven, just tell me this will be the last time.”
The legend is shocked by this and quickly asks, “What?! You have another man in your life.”
The lady bursts into giggles and pats him on the chest. She takes a moment to calm herself and says, “You daft thing, I will never stop having you. No, I meant with Zell.”
Raven breaths a sigh of relief and pulls her on to his knee. “You really had me worried. I thought you had got board of me.”
“No, I could never get board of you. I love you too much. So, what do you think to my question?”
“I feel this time we are more prepared for him and I know in my heart none of us are going to let him get away with it.”
Rhiledo can only imagine seeing the determination burning within his eyes for they reflect nothing, but it is clear from his expression and his voice, which tells her he has no doubt been planning this moment for centuries. Then it dawns on her Zell could be planning to get rid of the very people who can stop him and that worry begins to show within her expression, prompting the legend to ask, “What is it?”
The lady hugs him and once she explains her concerns he strokes the back of her head and responds, “We cannot rule it out. The things is you know no matter what happens I will get back.”
Rhiledo looks longing into his purple clouds and to her it is only the red rim that shows some life. She smiles and nods. “I know, I just needed to hear you say it.”
Raven chuckles and says, “I completely understand. Be rest assured, my sweet flower, this time he is going down. Aunty Dandelion will stop him.”
“Just think if their family were listened to in the past we wouldn’t be in this mess now. Yet at the same time what has transpired, well, we wouldn’t be doing this and you wouldn’t be with Dusk.”
The hero strokes her breasts and nods in agreement. “Yeah, I would still be in the Under City if Zell had been stopped when he was a child.”
“Even now it is hard to believe that it is all down to the elders not accepting a child can perform magic. I still love the way you blew their minds when you showed them what you and Jiéjīng could do, when he was just going, goo, goo and you, barely in your twenties, had called forth the Titans to stop the Undead Army, was standing in front of them making a bubble appear.”
“Yeah, the gasps of horror when they realised they had allowed Zell to become a monster. The master of illusions, the dark mage.” Raven sighs and shakes his head. Then it dawns on him there is more behind Yè fēng’s anger with the Moonlit Cove. Did he suspect Zell was behind it? No, he knew in his gut it was all a distraction, this makes him blurt, “Shit!”
Rhiledo could have sworn she saw a flash of anger within his eyes and she is quick to enquire, “What’s the matter?”
Raven gently sits her back on the other chair as he rises and snaps, “All of it was a nothing more than a fecking distraction. He knew… why didn’t he say anything?”
“Who, my love?”
“Yè fēng he knew it was all a distraction, he just didn’t want to say anything in case he was wrong and needed the evidence to determined the master of illusions is back. Why didn’t he tell me?”481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURgddhze4W
“Dandelion,” gasps Rhiledo.
“Yes,” answers the legend giving her a kiss and trots out of the room back upstairs to the bedroom to throw on his clothes.
Rhiledo enters the room just as the hero vanishes leaving behind nothing other than a swelling ring of dust in the centre of the room. She places a hand to her chest and whispers, “Please be safe, my love.”
✶✶✶
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Raven enters the Unicorn which makes the packed tavern irrupt into cheers of delight and the owner calls, “Evening, hero!”
The legend takes a bow and trots over to the bar. “Aunty, have you seen Yè fēng?”
“Raven, do you realise how late it is? He is most likely tucked up in bed. Well, he should be. Why are you so vexed?”481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOOnTyNldz
“He knew.”
Dandelion crosses his arms and stresses, “Raven, what are you on about? And don’t you go waking him in the middle of the bleeding night, he will freeze you half to death.”
“He knew all what has happened with the Valley Elves, Moonlit Cove was all a distraction.”
The owners eyes open wide and he responds, “Feck, I just thought it was the past coming back to haunt him. Ooh, my brother made damn sure it distracted us all. Come.”
Raven quickly trots around the bar to follow his aunty through the kitchen and out the back of the establishment where he takes hold of his hand they portal to a small house that lies in the middle of nowhere. The two storey building lies in complete darkness and not a single shutter has been closed, which is not like the teacher. Then an icy clod wind comes blowing across the garden and they both realise he is must be on the beach. Dandelion and Raven run down the path, down series of steep, stone steps to see the beach below is twinkling in the moonlight. The twinkling is coming from shards of ice that form impact craters to just rods of them which have grown out of the beach. In the middle of it all is a figure dressed in white with his long white hair flowing down his back. His left hand tickles and small water droplets drip from the melting ice that has formed around his slender fingers.
“Well, you certainly taken your frustration out on this beach,” comes a voice he recognises.
Yè fēng turns to it and enquires, “Raven, Dandelion, what are you both doing here?”
The owner of the Unicorn points his hand to shard of ice near him and uses his abilities to melt it. “This is why we’re here, my sweet ice wind. This though is not opening up to us, is it?”
The teacher shakes the ice from his left hand and answers with a sigh, “No. The thing is I had to be sure.”
Raven pats the Snow Elf’s tummy and tells him, “You should have let it spoke, because you knew in your gut Zell was behind this, because he was behind it before wasn’t he?”
“What?” Dandelion snaps. “Was my brother behind it, back then? Answer, Yè fēng. Please tell me.”
The ice around them seems to shift making the Vern pull the Dark Elf close and gets ready to protect him, but it all suddenly melts and they notice glistening tears are running down the teacher’s cheeks.
Dandelion gives him a hug and looks to Raven who has already guessed it is just too painful for Yè fēng to talk about. The legend uses a cloth to dry his old friend’s face just as a spick of ice rises out of the sand and his aunty grabs the Crystal Master’s shoulders. “Just tell us and stop fighting it, otherwise Raven is going to shivering.”
The legend can feel the air around them is growing cold to the point small snowflakes are begging to form and he can form smoke rings with his breath. “You either stop this,” he threatens, “or I will place you in the Box Barrier and turn off your magic for an hour or so.”
The owner of the Unicorn gives the Snow Elf a shake and damns, “You know he means it, so just tell us.”
Yè fēng sighs and everything returns to normal. He walks over to take a seat on a boulder and answers, “When I saw Dusk with the controlling crystal I knew it was Zell, he seems to have a thing for them. In a way it has become his signature. I swear back then I didn’t know it was him. Now I know differently he was behind it all. The thing what bites me the most is not knowing why he keeps doing this.”
Dandelion emits an angry sigh and kicks a pebble down the beach. “He did it to prove a point,” he says a moment later. “What that point is, I have absolutely no frecking idea. The bastard has been saying that line ever since he started his dark road. He knew he would not be stopped no matter how much we said to the elders he is responsible for the illusions. Oh, that reminds me, Raven, mother has given you permission to strip him of all magic.”
“Glad to hear it, because that’s what I am going to do.”
The teacher frowns and asks, “What, the Box Barrier neutralises all magic including unconventional magic?” When Raven nods, it makes him continue, “That is some spell.”
The legend giggles, “Yep.”
Yè fēng rises, he shakes his head and states, “If he is allowed to continue he will destroy Fin, is that what he means by proving a point?”
“No,” responds Raven, “because if he does that it will inevitably destroy him and that’s not what he wants. No, it is to prove that unconventional magic cannot be stopped. And the reason he keeps throwing us into illusions of the past is to rewrite it so that I do not destroy the very magic which has corrupted him. All we are, are merely his puppets to play out his world that is full of chaos. The Great Calamity, the Great Divide was to get rid of us Devine uses of magic. I know whatever he is planing this time will bring the ones who brought the War to an end to aid us.”
Dandelion and Yè fēng glance to each other for they know their dear friend never lies and has been known to have powerful visions of the future. The moonlight makes the second pupil within his left eye reflect gold, tonight though it seems to be shining brighter, fuelled by determination to take Zell down for good.481Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmbMcTL86Y
Then the owner of the Unicorn hears his old friend emit a soft giggle and realise there is a spark of passion suddenly burning within the Snow Elf, something he has never felt before. He looks to Raven and questions, “What’s got him all steamy?”
The legend pats his old friend’s chest as he enquires, “The ones who ended the War, you know them?”
Yè fēng gives an uncomfortable cough and walks away only to be stopped by his friends and Dandelion takes a guess, “You were in love with the Vern in the group weren’t you. Come, now you can tell us.”
The teacher sighs and explains, “No, he was not a member of the group who brought the War to an end. He was though someone who helped the people to recover. He brought in food and other supplies… I will never see him again.” He walks around his friends and continues over to the steps.
Raven takes hold of his old friend’s arm and states, “Oh, no you don’t, what was his name?”
“The thing is, I don’t know his real name,” explains Yè fēng, “everyone called him Elias.”
Dandelion folds his arms and his lips from into a smirk. “Ah, so I finally know it was you who stole my cousin’s heart. You see, Raven, he never told me the race of the elf he had fallen for. Of course he knew I would keep his secret that it was a man. The thing is he never said your name even though he knew it, didn’t he?”
The teacher nods. “Only because he knew straight a way who I was. It is good to know he kept his promise to keep our love a secret. It is why we are not together.”
The owner of the Unicorn winks to Raven before he vanishes to reappear a moment later with another Vern by his side, who gasps, “Yè fēng!”
Raven gives his old friend a soft push to get him to move and sees his aunty is doing the same to his cousin. Then they walk over to each other and are about to leave when the teacher vanishes.
Elias points his hand at the vacant space where the Snow Elf once stood and asks, “Did I do something wrong?”
Raven places a hand over his mouth to muffle his, “Oops!”
“Oops? What do you mean, oops?” Dandelion asks nudging him for answers.
The legend removes his hand from his mouth and explains, “It is not you, Elias, who he is in love with. Think back who was with you?”
Elias takes a small turn and responds a moment later, “Two of my officers… Oh, my general that is who he kept eyeing up who is very much like you, cousin.”
“Well, that explains a few things. So, did your general twig that a studding Crystal Master was in love with him?”
“To be honest I doubt it.”
Raven clears his throat and asks, “Let me guess he has a mate and children?”
Elias’ eyes open slightly wider and he shakes his head. “That man is married to the army. To be frank he is the best general I have ever had. No, Sigurd, is his name is very strict to himself, no time for anything fun. I can though understand why Yè fēng loves him, he is a quiet man who is happy to just sit in a room and read. He is without a doubt the perfect man for Yè fēng. Look, I will have a word with him in the morning.”
Dandelion points his hand and him and says, “Promise.”
“I promise, cousin, because I could tell whenever Yè fēng was around he was happy to see him. Even though his stern expression never changed.”
“I am sure you would have felt something between them. Anyway, I’d best go and check on him,” says Raven and disappears. He is pleased to see the light is streaming through the kitchen window which fades a little before the back door opens and Yé fēng appears in the doorway. “Feeling better?”
The teacher giggles and nods. “You could say that. Raven, just tell me, are you absolutely certain this will be our last fight with Zell?”
The legend walks right up to his old friend and tells him, “You know who I am the son of the masked Dark Elf who helped to bring the War to an end. I know my disappearance, not for long I will stress, will make him appear.”
“Ah, now I understand. You’re right Zell is dead.”
“Oh, yes, making me vanish for a few days is going to be worse mistake he has ever made. Trust me.”
“Raven, you never have to say that to me, for I will always trust you, to ends of the earth. When will it happen?”
The legend places his hands upon his waist and answers, “I am not sure, but I know it is all going to happen soon. I don’t need to tell you to prepare, because I know you already are.”
Yè fēng pulls him close and repeats, “A few days you will be gone?”
“Yes, I will be back with my husband by my side and ready to take that dark mage down. Now, you get to bed, even though it is going to be light in a few hours.”
The teacher kisses Raven on the cheek and heads back inside the kitchen. The hero knows his old friend is not going to be returning to bed for he is now too awake with worry what is going to happen next. He goes to him and says, “Yè fēng, I have got your back no matter what.”
“No, no, you miss understand it is not that, it’s the thought of you disappearing, where the hell is he going to send you?”
“It must be another realm, for him to appear the masked Dark Elf.”
Yè fēng emits a worried laugh. “My goodness, you are tame in comparison to him. I just hope you get back before he shatters Fin finding you.”
“I will be, don’t you worry,” replies Raven giving him a kiss on the cheek before he leaves and portals home to his tower.
The moment he appears in the front garden the front door opens and Dusk comes running down the path to take him into his arms. “It is not just you, darling, we are both going to disappear.”
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