BDS: Prologue

Black, glittering fog swirled around a sinister-looking star wizard as he appeared and reappeared at different points along a dark forest trail. The wizard paused at the edge of a mountain in his path and bolted right, slipping into a crevice between two looming boulders. The blue swirls of the tribal markings beneath his eyes and the glow of his white hair and skin contrasted sharply with the dark fog that lingered around him. He continued along the narrow trail before him for a short distance more then stopped before a boulder that appeared as if it had been sliced in half. He scanned his surroundings in caution. His lips turned to an arrogant smirk when he noted no threat in the area, impressed by the power of the cloaking enchantments he had cast around the area. A flash of light shone in his silver-blue chrome eyes as he held up a glowing palm before him. The middle of the two halves of the boulder widened, and he disappeared into a hidden cave.

The wizard hurriedly descended further into the cave as its floor widened and smoothed before him. The only sound was the rush of a nearby underground stream. He rounded a corner leading into a wider area of the cave and stopped before a star witch lying on the ground. Draped in a red gown and black cloak, she lay motionless on the stone floor next to the stream. The witch's unkempt, long black hair spread out wildly around her. Her expression was lifeless, and her skin was as cold as the cave floor beneath her.

Next to the star witch sat a small, frail child, her hair like that of her mother beside her. Her trembling arms were crossed tightly against her small frame. Silent tears streamed down her pale face as her own silver-blue chrome eyes stared unblinkingly at her mother.

Kneeling next to the woman, the wizard put a hand on her chest. The child stared at the black markings on his forearm that wound around his arm in the shape of a dragon. "She doesn’t have much time," he stated. His voice was flat—void of emotion—as if he was simply listing a fact rather than admitting news painful to hear. He turned to the young girl. "If you wish to survive you must remain here with your nán, Akila. Do not leave the cave."

Akila wiped her eyes and stood. "I want to go with you, dán."

"I will return for you. You must hide here until I kill Malik."

His daughter's eyes widened. "You would kill grandán?" She shook her head in confusion. "Why?"

Akila involuntarily backed away as the star wizard's eyes instantly darkened to a silvery black.

"Because he has taken everything I worked so hard to gain control of, and that cannot be allowed," he said as he stood.

"Dán?" Akila whispered in confusion.

"Stay here with Alandria," he said as he walked back to the cave entrance. "I will have use for you later."

"What about nán?"

The wizard ignored her.

Akila's four-year-old gaze narrowed as she watched her father leave. Squaring her shoulders, she marched after him to the opening of the cave. Squeezing through the narrow crevice, she stopped short at the entrance and stared wide-eyed in fright at the scene before her.

There her grandfather stood before her father, tall and intimidating, encased in a spiked blaze of blue and silver-white fire. His royal blue tribal markings glowed brightly beneath the light of his silver-blue eyes and glowing white skin. In one hand he held a white staff and in the other, a short blade of blue and red flames. Standing on either side of him were two other Mysteis and two light warriors, their glowing gladaés held before them.

"Your time of attempted rule is over, Nemerus," Malik stated darkly. "You have caused devastation to our people and have destroyed this kingdom. Such is the desire of the Javen—a hunger that cannot be ceased no matter the gain. I warned you long ago to refrain from diving into darkness. Death is the only solution that awaits you now."

Nemerus laughed darkly. "You would kill your own son? It seems as if I am not the only one with darkness in their heart."

"My son died the day he turned from the light of the stars in exchange for the taste of the power of the dark arts. And yes," Malik's voice softened as it broke with emotion. The flames of silver-white fire spiked higher around him, "I would kill any who has brought forth the slaughter of our people and the destruction of this land as you have done."

White-tipped flames of black fire spiked around Nemerus. "Numbers must be reduced to maintain control. It's logical, not personal." He smiled wickedly as the wizard markings beneath his eyes and across his arms turned as black as his eyes.

"The power of the stars is abandoning you, Nemerus," Malik stated. "I can feel your light fading. The power you believe to be in your control is an illusion."

"I have no interest in the weaker light of the stars," Nemerus replied. "The power of the Javen surpasses that."

"That's the illusion. The black dragon energy would never grant full power in captivity. You underestimate the strength of the dragons."

Nemerus smirked. "That's just something the elders want you to believe so you wouldn't attempt to draw from dragon energy. As you have discovered, I have learned otherwise."

He bolted toward the two light warriors who both disappeared in a flash and reappeared directly behind him. Nemerus spun and swung his black staff to block the strikes of their incoming gladaés. Malik and the star witch at his side disappeared in a burst of bright light.

Nemerus muttered a spell as he released a blaze of black fire with his free hand at the Mysteis beside Malik. Before he could teleport, the black flames wound around the arm of the star wizard and yanked him off his feet.

Malik reappeared at the edge of the group and whipped his staff out wide. A rush of silver-white light flew at Nemerus's blaze to break the deadly flames that now swallowed the star wizard's body, but it was too late. The wizard's eyes widened as he froze and disappeared beneath the snaking flames. He gasped and dropped his staff to the ground. His white skin began to glow brightly and then instantly darkened and disintegrated as the black flames absorbed him completely.

"No! Roésyl!" the star witch screamed as she rushed toward him.

Do not let the flames touch you, Gwenil! Malik demanded telepathically. The fire is infused with black dragon energy.

Gwenil stopped in her tracks and gazed in horror as the last of Roésyl's body disappeared. A glittering light lingered in the space he previously stood then faded into the air.

Nemerus's gaze flashed a glint of satisfaction as a silver glow seeped from beneath the dragon on his forearm. Bright silver flames intertwined with the black around him, creating a shield against the light warriors' advancing attacks. A short laugh escaped him as he gazed at the others with confidence and relaxed within the protection of the silver flames. The warriors, their eyes still alight, backed away from Nemerus, but remained on guard.

"Don't worry, Gwenil, you're next," Nemerus's voice echoed softly throughout the area.

Gwenil's eyes widened further as she turned her horrifying gaze away from where Roésyl previously stood.

Gwenil, remain alert,Malik warned as he studied Nemerus closely. Control your fear.

Nemerus closed his eyes lazily and bowed his head. The fire transformed into thick silver and black blazing tentacles. He quickly stretched his arms before him. The tentacles darkened and flew out like a striking snake at the light warriors. In the same instant, he flicked his wrist casually. The black fog around him turned to a transparent mist and slowly rolled across the ground toward Malik and Gwenil.

The two warriors repeatedly teleported out of harm's way, but the whipping flames struck in the precise location they reappeared.

"My flames follow energy, not the physical, so they will know where you are teleporting before you get there," Nemerus said with a smirk.

Light shields formed around both to block the series of flaming strikes as one of the warriors threw out his hands.

Nemerus stared hard at the warrior who had his eyes narrowed and focused on the shields. "You're quick, but there aren't many who can counter the Sion flame a second time."

The warrior remained silent. He met Nemerus's gaze unwaveringly through the blue of his shields and lowered his stance.

Nemerus raised an eyebrow. "I like your energy, but your shield charisma will weaken soon, so I hope you have some other defense in mind."

Malik suddenly slammed the bottom of his staff into the ground. A stream of silver light spun its way across the ground, forming a circle around Nemerus, and shot outward, absorbing the mist that was inching its way near his feet.

Nemerus cast Malik a slight smile. "Still the most cunning wizard of your age, father." He glanced at Gwenil. "Too bad, she isn't. Sarlak's mist already has her."

Malik's eyes widened as he heard Gwenil gasp. She grabbed the front of her cloak as the mist seeped into it. She stumbled to the side. Her staff fell to the ground as she dropped to her knees.

"This ends now, Nemerus," Malik stated in a low voice. He took a deep breath and his eyes and skin brightened even more. His silver and white flames expanded dramatically as his white hair turned completely silver. The Mark of the Mysteis appeared on his forehead.

Nemerus ignored his father and glanced at the two light warriors. The shields around them had decreased in density. Sweat dripped down the face of the shield warrior as he bent to one knee.

"Time's up," Nemerus whispered.

Do not teleport, Malik told the warriors.

As Nemerus's dark flames drew back for another strike, Malik teleported himself between the flames and the warriors. He whispered a spell and flipped his staff so that it was horizontal. A bright white light ran the length of the staff just as he tossed it at the flames. The flames instinctively grabbed the staff and wound themselves around it.

Surprise overtook Nemerus's face for the first time as a piercing scream emerged from the flames. They whipped violently in the air as if they were trying to release the glowing staff. The staff remained glued to the fire, its light penetrating the tentacles. The flames hardened and stilled before cracking into pieces and dropping to the ground. 

Nemerus glanced around hurriedly as the rest of the protective flames surrounding him disappeared, leaving only a thin line of black fog.

Malik's expanded fire immediately encircled Nemerus and transformed into seven giant, silver-white glowing Mysteis, each holding the hilt of a large white, blazing sword before them.

"What type of magic—?" Nemerus spun around in desperation, looking for an opening in the wall of light that solidified as the wizards swarmed him.

His eyes narrowed in concentration as he took a deep breath.

Darkness stretched to the edge of his eyes, completely covering any white. The veins in his skin bulged as he yelled and sent flaming black bullets at the wall of light. His repeated attack disintegrated against the chest of the flaming wizards without harm.

The giant glowing Mysteis struck the blade of their swords into the ground around Nemerus. A cage formed as chains of light shot from each blade and locked around Nemerus, pulling him to his knees.

Nemerus yelled as the darkness faded around him and his eyes returned to normal. "No!" He turned to Malik. "Father!" He twisted violently against the binds of light.

The wizards spoke in unison. "Nemerus, you have abused the power gifted to you by the cosmos. The choices that remain for you are to release the power of the Javen within and return to the light of the stars or remain lost in the dark realms until you experience all that you have cast upon others."

Nemerus sneered at the wizards in disgust and then gave a short laugh. "Send me to the dark. It's where I work best."

"Nemerus!" Malik boomed. He quickly moved through the light wizards' guard to stand before his son. "Reconsider your response and return to the light of the stars. You know not of what you speak. If you enter the dark realms, you must atone for each person separately. You will not be able to ask for penance until after you have been reborn and live the life and death of each of those you have slain."

Nemerus laughed arrogantly. "I will do as I wish. I control my own destiny, whether it is now or in some other dimension."

"So be it," Malik said softly. He held his son's gaze unwaveringly for several moments until a tender look filled his eyes. In a blurry flash, he drew the red and blue flaming blade across Nemerus's throat.

Nemerus gasped as his violet-blue blood spilled from the wound, and the poison of moonfire spread through him. His body collapsed against the chains and his skin took on a light blue hue.

Only seconds passed when Nemerus's body jerked back against the chains. A burst of silver light followed by a gush of black, glittering fog poured from Nemerus's chest and formed into the shape of a large, ghostly black dragon. Its eyes glowed brightly with the same shimmering silver that outlined its scales and wings.

Malik stared into the dragon's eyes as it spread its wings. With one flap it crossed the distance to where Malik stood. "You are now free," Malik said softly. "Please forgive the darkness of my bloodline."

The dragon gently leaned in and touched Malik's forehead with its own. The silver glow of its markings brightened. The light spread across Malik's face and skin until all of it was absorbed into the Mysteis mark on his forehead. The dragon then spread its wings wide and soared high into the air, disappearing in a burst of silver light.

The ancestor light wizards lifted their swords from the ground. Nemerus's body rose with the chains. Both the light wizards and Nemerus faded from view.

The two light warriors were already standing over Gwenil. Their hands were alight with a blue glow as they administered healing light to her.

Malik's appearance returned to normal, and the glow of his skin dimmed. He pulled back the sleeve of his cloak to reveal a fresh vertical violet-blue mark across his inner arm. He inhaled sharply as he lightly touched the mark. He dropped to his knees and wept.

***

Akila's footsteps echoed off the cave walls as she ran back to her mother in a panic. She dropped beside Alandria. She frantically looked around the cave and grabbed her mother's hand, lifting it tight to her own cheek. "Nán," she cried. "Please, nán, wake up! Dán's," she sniffed, "dán's dead. The giant wizards took him." Her whimpers were the only noise other than the flow of water around them. "Please," she whispered as she lay beside her mother and closed her eyes.

"Akila," a voice probed softly several hours later.

Akila pried open her heavy lids and looked into her mother's silver-blue eyes.

"Nán," Akila said. She sat up quickly and looked around the cave. "Grandán killed dán," she said shakily. A fresh set of tears fell down her cheeks as her voice caught in a sob. "I'm scared."

"I know, Akila," her mother whispered. She swallowed and took a ragged breath. "Listen to me…I do not have much time. You need to go to Malik."

"What? No, nán—you're awake now. I need you!" She grabbed her mother's arm.

"Akila," her mother continued softly. "Listen please; sweetheart….There is a pack with food and other items I stored in the cave for you and I to take on our journey to Dremma. It is…" she lifted her arm with effort and pointed to a place across the stream, "…there, in the shadows. If other races in the kingdom find you, they may kill you out of fear, so you must be careful."

Akila's eyes widened.

"There are hidden paths—tunnels in this cave that you can follow if you can't find Malik. They will lead you to a home…a hideout… so that you remain safe until the war is over," she coughed and wheezed. "It is far, but there you will have everything you need to live without hardship for a long time."

"Nán," Akila whimpered. "I don't want to go without you."

Her mother smiled. "I know. I love you, Akila. Be brave…." She wheezed again. "Find your grandfather. He will help you….and explain about your dán—"

"He killed dán!" Akila said loudly. "I hate him!"

"No, Akila," she swallowed, "Nemerus was—" Her eyes lit with a bright light that filled the cave. Her hand fell limp in her daughter's arm as her eyes closed.

"Nán?" Akila whispered. She shook her mother. "Please! Nán! I don't want to be alone…" She pressed her body close to Alandria as she laid back down, hooking her small arm over her mother's waist. Her sobs echoed loudly across the cave. Moments later, her mother's body began to disintegrate into glittering sparks of silver light. Akila watched the lights lift into the air until they disappeared. Then she hugged her knees tightly to her, buried her head, and cried herself to sleep.

She woke with a start to the sound of distant voices late into the night. Sitting up hurriedly, she stared at the space her mother's body had previously lain and then jumped to her feet. After splashing across the shallow stream, she grabbed the large pack from the hiding spot her mother had told her about. With effort, she hoisted the pack onto her back.

She glanced one more time at the spot where she last saw Alandria and took a deep breath, reaching for the starlight magic within her as her mother had taught her to do. Her eyes lit up briefly. White lights appeared along a pathway leading deeper underground. She stared for several moments at the cave entrance where the voices were getting louder. More tears slipped from the corner of her eyes. With a shake of her head, her gaze narrowed, and she disappeared into the tunnel.