"Show yourself now"!. Xylara thundered as soon as she entered her chambers, she felt a shift in the atmosphere, something or someone was lurking around in the darkness. A shadow emerged from behind the curtains.
Xylara who was once apprehensive, became relaxed and sat on a low stool infront of a gigantic mirror.
"What are you doing Tamala?". Xylara asked taking off her ear rings.
Tamala came and stood behind her giggling.
"Nothing,I was wondering what you were up to and guess what I found ".
Xylara stopped what she was doing for a moment and looked at Tamala's reflection in the mirror, she was clearly uninterested but waited for her to say what she wanted to say.
"What is this games you are playing with Malakai?".
Xylara rolled her eyes and went back to what she was doing.
"I have better things to do Tamala".
"You promised to give him powers Xylara, well that is very much a dangerous game".
"Am not giving powers to anyone, Malakai is a coward,he would have killed the child upon arrival".
Tamala looked at her with utter disbelief.
"Isn't that what you've always wanted, to hunt down the girl or have you forgotten about the prophecy?.
"No I haven't,I got an offer".
" An offer?".
"Yes, it's Dane,we made a deal,I bring the girl to him,he gives me the Alyris pendant".
Tamala was beyond shocked she had to sit down.
"Wait ,Dane? The Alyris pendant?, have you gone mad Xylara?".
"No,am just too ambitious ". Xylara replied, admiring herself in the mirror.
"Okay,so how do you hope to achieve this, what are you going to tell Malakai when the child suddenly disappears or how are you going to face Dane if your plans flops, that man is very dangerous and you know it ".
Xylara only smiled, she was not going to reveal anything yet,cause she trusts no one.
" This is not the first time am working with Dane,I know how to handle him. By the way, where have you been, haven't seen you in awhile ". Xylara said, changing the topic, Tamala didn't want the topic to change, she felt left out on so many things, she wanted to know more.
"Hiding ". She said unenthusiastically.
Xylara's gaze shifted to her direction.
"From what?".
Tamala walked towards the window.
"The sisters, it's that time of the year and it's my turn to perform the rituals and I'm not ready ".
"Mai'ae Verma will be very upset,I know that for sure". Xylara said.
"I know,I know I just don't want my soul to be lost ".
"When it was my turn,I did it without hesitation cause I had no fear,if you are unafraid your soul can never be lost ".
"Easy for you to say,it still baffles me that you are not a Mai'ae yet with all that you have accomplished, you totally deserves to be one ".
Xylara laughed, she was aiming for something higher, something more powerful, something more than just being a Mai'ae.
"Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to meditate,I have a long journey ahead of me tomorrow". She said blowing out the candles, Tamala's gaze lingered on her before she eventually vanished into the dark.
Aldor l'thia , the kingdom of shadows,loomed like a dark secpter over the land, its capital city Luznoth,was a fortress of black stone and iron, its walls bearing scars of countless battles and sieges.The kingdom's history was written in blood and fire.
Dane, the shadow king, with eyes that burn with insatiable hunger for power ruled Aldor l'thia with an iron fist. His reign was marked by brutal suppression,his armies ravaging and terrorizing the neighboring lands,sorcerers and witches experimenting with dark magic.
His obsession with magic was all consuming, driving him out to seek the most powerful and forbidden arts.
Luznoth was a city of darkness, its streets lit only by flickering torches and eerie glow of magical energies.
The air reeked of smoke and fear, the people cowed and submissive. Dane's rule was absolute,his words law and his mercy nonexistent.
Was once a normal prince,born to a powerful king and queen,who ruled Aldor l'thia with wisdom and justice. However,his parents' reign was cut short when Hevnorth ,a rival kingdom attacked and destroyed the royal family. Young Dane was the only survivor, left to wander the ruins of his childhood home.
He was found by a sorceress,Nyvara,who took him under her wing and taught him the dark arts but she had her own agenda, seeking to use Dane's royal bloodline to gain power and control over the kingdoms. She manipulated and groomed him, fueling his desire for revenge and his ambition to reclaim his rightful throne.
As Dane grew in power and knowledge,he became increasingly consumed by his thirst for magic and control. He made pacts with malevolent beings, sacrificing his humanity and empathy in exchange for dark powers.
When Nyvara disappeared under mysterious circumstances, Dane was left to his own devices,he spent years honing his magical abilities, building an army of royal followers and plotting his return to power.
He eventually conquered Aldor l'thia and reclaimed the throne.
********
A pale faced maid walked into the throne room in a fidgety manner.
Dane,sat heavily on a chair made out of thorns and adorned with human skulls , lifted up his gaze at the sound of the creaking door.
"Your highness". The maid began,her eyes fixated on the marbled floor of the throne room, she dared not to look him in the eye.
"The priestess from southern neridia is here and she requests an audience with you".
Dane's gaze narrowed.
"That should be Xylara, send her in at once!".
The maid scurried out, returning with Xylara,who walked into the throne room with an air of confidence.
"Greetings your majesty". She said,her voice low and smooth.
"I bring news of the one you seek, the girl with the gift of the stars and the moon... Aries "
"Took you long enough,so, tell me, have you found her?".
Dane asked.
"Yes your majesty, she's in my care as we speak ".
"Weldon Xylara,I hope she's ready for the ritual ". Dane's grip on his throne tightened,his knuckles white with anticipation.
Xylara's smile was like a crack in the dark, revealing a hint of sinister intent.
"Yes your majesty, with her powers, you shall reign supreme over all the kingdoms ".
"I know ".Dane said laughing maniacally but then stopped abruptly which startled Xylara.
"You failed me once before,I hope this one is worth my time". He thundered.
" I assure you your majesty, this time is different, Aries powers is unparalleled and I promise to take every precaution to ensure her cooperation". Her expression remained serene but a flicker of unease danced in her eyes.
"Excellent!, then bring her next,so we can start getting her ready for the ritual,I will not be denied my destiny again".
Xylara bowed her head slightly.
"As you command your majesty. I will bring the child to you but I have to warn you about a vision I saw". She said confidently, knowing fully well she didn't see anything.
Dane's eyes snapped to attention, his voice sharp with curiosity." What is it?".
Xylara's pause was deliberate.
"I saw the downfall of this great kingdom and the one who destroyed it,was you, your majesty".
"So what are you trying to say to me". Dane was getting impatient.
"What am saying in essence is,you don't need this much power, you are already powerful and you have the best sorcerers in all of the seven kingdoms".
"I try so hard to understand you sometimes Xylara, you sound very contradictory right now,do you want me to have this power or not,if not, then you can as well kiss the Alyris pendant goodbye ".
Xylara almost fell on her knees.
" No, your majesty, it's just a vision and visions can be manipulated and the outcome can be different ".
As Xylara bowed and exited the throne room,a shiver ran down her spine. The Alyris pendant was definitely her weakness, she just can't wait to get her hands on it once and for all.