Acrilis

She knew what this was all about. She had played it in her head time without numbers. Danyen wasn't going to hurt him anyway, instead he was using him as a bait to get to her. The dark elf wasn't going to admit defeat that easily, he was even more prepared than imagined. And now perhaps he was really going to wipe out the existence of all other creature including hers. Her conscience pricked her like a loose thorn making her heart bleed even the more.Yet she couldn't stand it, her one true love who had stood by her both through sunshine and rainfall.. Through the depth of sorrow and and galley of death... Through the unpredictable fall of the night and the presupposition rise of the dawn.. Even now her heart yearn for him the more and she prayed silently he hasn't come into any harm... She rode on into the dark... Her faithful mare "Hayna" kept her head high trying not to show her lord any sign of weakness or fatigue.. She looked up toward the distance looming tower which was now emitting a heavy black smoke.. Even though she was about twenty miles away.. She smelt the odour of evil and death and still find it hard to believe that magius was trapped inside that foul enslaving desolate plains of destruction.. She rode Hayna even more faster than ever and she felt pity on the poor innocent horse... It was too much to take in.. She was risking an entire population of lives.. And all for her one true love.. Her selfishness she knew might be uncalled for, even to magius.. But she'd do it over and over again for him.Her hair which was has tender as a soft silk cotton now whooshes about freely as they rode on in an aggressive speed. She arrived on time just to see Danyen entering into the cursed tower through one of it many openings and beckoning on her to do the same. Her heartbeat increased in agitation and she called out to him in a blood threatening voice "DANYEN!!! ". She jumped off Hayna and gently whispered into her obedient ear to wait for her.. Magius was still in there.. She could feel the thumps of his heartbeat and she felt even more determined... She raced on after Danyen and stopped abruptly at the entrance of the tower. An unrecognized voice called out to her. It was so feeble that she could barely comprehend what it was saying "Don't do this Elina.. Let it go " Her heart grew heavy with guilt and her soul cried out to her to leave... Leave and accept fate the way it is but then she was relentless. She hadn't come all the way here to be turned away by an alien thought or voice.. This was it and Magius would have done just the same in her stead. She pushed open the heavy barrel door and it made a sickening metallic sound vibrating throughout the tower.. "DANYEN!! " she screamed out his name in utmost fury. "I'm here.... Now let him go" she looked about and discovered the interior of the tower was as old as time itself.. The walls had grown aged and there seems to be a vile of cracks here and there. There lays a spiraling stair which wring itself about and seems to be endless. And when she tried to view the landscape there was nothing to see but an infinite gaze of emptiness and nothingness. Elina!!... She snapped out of her introspection. She knew the voice well even before it resounded throughout the tower. The man whom she laid her life and that of the whole world was being held prison atop one of the banister of the damned tower. She needn't be told what to do next..It was now or never. She paced off towards the nearest step stair and as soon as she had placed her feet on it, it dissolved revealing a blackened pit of hell and dismay. At that moment it all became clear and vivid to her. Danyen was not just trying to vandalize her but at the same time he wanted her to suffer for her loss and stupidity. If she doesn't live through this. It will all be for nothing.... Magius.. The fairies.. The mermaids.. The dwarves... The goblins... The kenders... The pixies... The gnomes... The brownies.. The dragons.. The Griffins.. The minotaurs.. The cyclops.. The draconians.. The nymphs... And her people all going to die... She was both the key to their survival and death... She didn't wait to figure out what happens next as she leapt unto the second step and start bounding on towards the unknown. Her legs weren't prepaid for this but they had no time to be lectured. She kept her composure on check and kept running not looking back, not hesitating cause she knew one pause and it was all over. She hoped at one point she was going to burst out of an opening and be spared the torture of keeping her feet busy over and over again but yet more steps emerged ready to vaporize as soon as her tired weary feet steps on them. Her hope, time and purpose were diminishing and she started to fear it was all over. She'd been running to her own guess for about an hour and yet, She couldn't yet get a glimpse of what laid ahead.. She was engulfed in a world of stairs and she knew sooner than later she'll give up. Her toes grinded against the hedge of a step and she cried out in pain and hopelessness. She stumbled her way through the arrays of step and was about to have a setback when up ahead she thought she saw a door.. She wasn't sure it was really a door but her inner mindset gave way and with her last debilitated strength she made for it and was glad she did. She pushed open the door and almost immediately the floor below her gave way. She fell but spontaneously hold on to the door floor her legs swinging wildly. She peeped down and saw the raging volcanic flame flowing furiously with the aim of consuming her. She heaved herself up and clambered back on top. She walked in and found herself in an entire different strange environment. It wasn't an interior as she had presumed but it turned out to be an open one.The sky was dark and the lightening flashed consecutively while the thunder sparked. It sound drowning and leaving behind the feeling of terror and fear. The wind blew fiercely. Her blood grew cold and she felt sick at the same time. "Not only were the Gods angry with me but nature itself isn't pleased with my motive" but there was no going back now... "DANYEN!!! " she cried out "show yourself".. The wind whistled as If mocking her voice "Elina"... "Magius" her voice had the tone of one who was about to lose everything.. She squinted her eyes and made her way towards the voice which she e was sure belonged to her beloved. She found him and the tears flowed carelessly down her smooth face. Magius was being crucified not with nails but dark magic, he hung his head in a disoriented manner and breathed with great difficulty. She rushed to him her heart swelled up with sorrow loss and pain "Magius.. I'm...... "Her voice broke"I'm sorry.... I'm sorry you'd to go through all this "her voice were now raggy" I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you.... I'm sorry I arrived too late but now I'm here" she smiled bitterly "I'll get you out of here i promise and you can formally propose your undying love to me... We'll make lot of babies and....... " "Elina" magius dropped down his head in distress and she could see his face were swollen and battered "you shouldn't have come" he coughed with much effort...." You made a mistake... You put the life of us all in jeopardy... You have to leave this place now" he grimaced "Yes.. But I'm not leaving without you" she meant to sound defiant but deep inside she knew perhaps he was right. "Fool" She needn't need to look back to know who it was Danyen crept out of a dark corner, a sly smile on his lips and strangely his cloak looked more darker than usual... "I was expecting you much more earlier but nevertheless it isn't too late to put in effect what has to be done.. I hope you have the sacred orb of Zaragoza with you" "Danyen" she walked towards him her legs visibly trembling but was halted immediately by the elf one raised finger "You do not come any closer" "You don't have to do this... Give me a chance.. Give us a chance.. We might fix this some other way" convincing him seem stupid and useless but still she'd to try "Give who exactly a chance?... Elina have you forgotten where you stand?.. Did you think coming here to try talking me out is going to change anything.. I always thought you sensible and respected your valor and charismatic.. But now.. I see you're no different from the rest... Magius was right.. Your coming is about to lead to not just your death but that of your whole generation " his voice dark and raspy hurt her ear "If you do this.. You wouldn't be seen as a hero but a villain..An apostate...Your name will have no praise or glory ...and your song will be sung in dirge,mocked, criticised and scorned..for all you're about to commit is descend the wrath and curse of the gods on your ignorant soul" she meant to sound defiance even though her heart wasn't intrigued. *pfft* he spat irritably "well damn the accursed gods... you dare threaten me with irresponsible myth creatures...you feel I'll be moved by such empty menace." he grinned and scowled almost immediately.."you tell me..do the miserable celestials you counter me with have any remorse on their very own conscience..or have they any guts to infiltrate into matters concerning mortals...the phlegmatic puppets you mock me with are no more than I am... they're nevertheless an undeserving icon of shame and distraught..yet here you are" he sniffed" feeling so pathetic and crawling at my mercy...And for those you infer will perceive me as a monstrous scoundrel.. I'm in no doubt pitiful of the encrusting rage they'll build on me.... they'll mourn your passing..and blame thrusted into my breast..that of course will be fleeting..cause when they finally realize and their eyes clear of dust which blurs the prospection I've embroidered. .. they'll come to fathom and appreciate my accomplishment then they'll not only sing out my panegyrics but also worship me as their laudable and gracious savior" in a bid to exemplify his message he licked his lips sarcastically then sprain back at her" Now I've had enough of your unnecessary bickering of a sermon...Hand it over NOW!!. It sounded more of barks than words Elina felt estranged and her mind wobbled over the next move she was to make She felt more vulnerable than ever and her legs got cold, her body paralyzed and most of all she felt a tingle in what the elf proclaimed.The gods their pre-existence were known to be full of miracles and wonders prior to their withdrawal into the deep immortal realm leaving the mundane to its fate, her faith she could acclaim was fading itself. "Danyen" she began more of a whisper "don't do this....it's genocidal" her eyes twinkled mistimed with careless tears and her tone clouded with grief and bereavement..this after all was a lost battle.."be merciful". Her voice carrying a splinter of submissives wasn't gonna attain his sympathy but instead empower him vigorously. She'd sensed this ahead but still perhaps a trial might be foolishly convincing She heard footsteps (her head was in a bow) and she could tell the elf was making towards her and then halted just beside her "pathetic fool" that was all she heard before he proceeded towards her beloved. She tried to follow suite but then her legs grew unobliging and her body numb. It suddenly dawned on her The elf had played some evil tricks on her, black sorcery she presumed and now she was both enchanted and incarcerated. "Danyen" her weary voice stood threatening.."don't you dare...." that was all she was able to muster before a terrific shriek cut her off giving her body an uncontrollable shrill. She needn't be told. Danyen was taking joy in poking Magius with his wicked crooked staff all the way into his ribs twisting and turning it painfully, painstakingly in the most horrifying manner.. "Stop" She cried out, her quavering voice renouncing. "just...stop, please" her voice soaked and soggy and Danyen let out a delightful smirk. All was over now and even the rumbling thunder seems to have calmed in a low moaning serene... "Aylasita martorisa diminartoni armania Zaragoza.." even as she cast out the virtue spell holding the sacred orb in secret revealing the true nature of their most secret artifact known to be the bringer of life and giver of death. She could feel her body running cold, not from the energy relapsed by the spell but the exasperating guilt jolting every tissue, every joints and bones in her body. She felt tensed and agitated as a surge of light beamed forming a crystal ball of intensive energy consuming the darkness that had once enshrouded them all of a sudden. It kept radiating, and discharging pure torch of blinding sensation. It resplendence and bedazzlement was unquestionable and it got every one of them entranced and electrified by it magnificence and gloriousness. It was indeed a scene to behold!. It kept enlarging and gleaming an unrelenting overpowering hypnotizing and glistening ball of luminescence. It was consuming and it left the onlookers bewildered, stung still by it majesty. It kept them in this dumbfounding wall of awe and anesthetic when all of a sudden it burst into flame, making them shield their face from the blaze and the magnitude of its scorch. It was as if after all, the sun had come to pay them a visit. The orb had now reduced to a size enough to be clasped by two hands while bubbling with immense energy as it pulsates concurrently given a melodious rhythm. Elina raised her hands as it levitates towards her and gently settle in the dangerous comfort of her palm sending an acute shock through her whole body. I'll be damned! Danyen could obviously not contain his excitement as his face lit in glorification and accomplishment. "It's so... beautiful...so alive...so...breath taken" "Elina! you can't let him have it..you have to flee now..you have to..." Danyen lifted a finger drowning Magius voice. "Now that will be enough" then he turned towards the uncertain confused poor Elina. "so what shall it be darling?...the orb that'll end your pain and misery or your ridiculous mate that's gonna suffer and die a painful gruesome death!" Time seemed to move slower than she could ascertain and her whole life felt so useless, so diminishing, as she realized either ways it was a losing game for her and she was gonna regret it for the rest of her life. "Can't you just take me instead" her lips were quivering badly, her stance crashing. "you're worthless to me ..you'll do no good than your love here..buh then you waste my time indiscriminately" he raised his hand preparing to cast a spell Elina was sure she wasn't ready to discover it's outcome and she gasped in pain.. defeat and forlorn. "take it!" her body was already too weak to fight her compliance, all was at stake already, nothing really mattered anymore. She just wanted Magius to be free from that dreadful shackles. her hands conceiving the sacred orb were stretched out in obedience and reluctance. "Good girl" the sly smile was quite noticeable "you chose right " and with that he snatched it off her hand and almost the orb bubbled rather discomforting as if resisting Danyen itself. Elina shot off to Magius and bent over him.. Danyen muttered some magical spell and it radiating light suddenly diminished and instead left behind a dark spooky ball with foul smoke emitting all over it and a smell that purges the mind of sanity reeking of something dead, rotten or perhaps evil. "what have you done?" Magius managed to say as he turned to look at her groaning in his inconvenient position but then she couldn't bare to do the same as her face cowered in shame, grief, guilt and disappointment. she for once realized she had doomed them all by her careless desperation. Instead she turned towards Danyen who was still admiring his new toy. "Now that you've gotten what you so desire. Spare him of his misery" she gritted her teeth more angry at herself than Danyen. The dark one stopped his inclined amusement of the artifact and turned to face his audience who at the point were rather confused, aggrieved and were anticipating their unavoidable doom! He grinned. "It will be my utmost pleasure of course " and with that he snapped his fingers and Margius dropped like a lump only to be impaled in the chest by a spear which shot straight up leaving behind a gaping wound. Elina gasped in terror, shocked to the root as life seems to ebb out of her rather than her beloved. she dropped on her knees by his dying side and wrapped a arm round his neck while covering the wound tightly with her other hand as tears welled up in her eyes and flowed freely unrestrained till it left a puddle with the blood that was seeping out from Magius. her voice quivered in pain and loss. "I'm...I'm sorry" she sniffed Magius held out his hand which was now shaking vigorously and gently placed it on her cheek. Elina felt it coldness and for once she froze in realization, all was about to end just like that. She was about to lose the one and only person that matters most to her than anything in the world. "It's okay my love" he said weakly. " you did what you felt was right and I don't blame you for it. My love for you will never subside but keep growing even in death. he stopped abruptly and choked up in his own blood. "Magius!" Elina wailed "don't..." he coughed up some more blood. "don't blame yourself for my death. I welcome it with utmost embrace. None of this was ever your fault. You only allowed your heart to lead you which is quite understandable. And that love is what makes you human." and with that he gave up the ghost. Elina heart broke with so much sorrow. here was the man she so love and even at the point of death still accepted her error as a common human nature. Her mind was overwhelmed with so much grief as she gently closed his cold eyes the tears still pouring uncontrollable. Then she heard a cackle from behind, it was no doubt that of Danyen. "You seriously thought I was gonna let off that ridiculous boyfriend of yours. Now why will you even think of that in the first place? I mean what's the fun in having to wipe you all at once without giving you the privilege of watching the man you sacrificed everything for fade away by the agony of death " then he laughed even more. Elina still bowed over Magius as if protecting his lifeless body remained still, unresponsive. Danyen made a face and walked towards her and stood just by her side clearly savouring the moment. "Trust me, I know how it feels" he paused. "Giving up almost the entire humanity for a corpse" he snickered. "well times up" he was saying when he got interrupted by her dark murky voice. "You took...... everything from me. Nothing matters anymore. I have nothing left to lose" and without warning Elina figure spun around and grasp Danyen neck gripping it with such force and shock that it made Danyen drop the orb.. filling his eyes with dread. He reached out for her hands and tried to shake them off. but when he looked into the young elven girl eyes. His blood suddenly ran cold because where there lies a simple gentle almond ember, in Elina's eyes was now replaced with a fierce burning torch, blazing in rage and vengeance and shaking the dark elf to the core of his spirit. Gently she lifted him from his feet like he was some paperweight and he writhed desperately trying to break free. "You made your choice" The new Elina's voice carried that of authority and a powerful energy, it was like Danyen had woken a slumbering beast in her. one that was created for one purpose. To destroy. "And now you shall suffer the consequence" Her eyes kept illuminating, blinding Danyen of senses and sight and rendering him helpless. He tried reaching out for his staff but it seems his weapon itself had flee in fear. Elina hand remained clasped around his neck has she drained his life force on and on and.. "Salvor" He could feel his life fading away. And all by the hands of a..... "SALVOR" young Elvin teenager. He spurted black blood as he... "SAL..." "YES MOM!" he yelled back feeling rather disgruntled. "mom always find a way to split the fun" he hissed picking his bag and rushed downstairs. His mother was waiting for him hands akimbo. "what was your bughead doing all along?" "nothing " he said hurriedly packing some sandwiches into his mouth and stuffing them right down his throat "are you back at reading those ridiculous stories of yours"? "Mom!" he looked up clearly stung "what?...I'm just saying you need to realize, you're no longer 8. You're now a young good looking man whom every lady out there is gonna be on a lookout for. You need a life beyond fairy tales." She was saying. "My books are not ridiculous and I'm 17. Not twenty whatever..." He gulped down the juice left on the table, swung open the door leading out and shut it with such alacrity before his mom could say one more word. Outside his childhood friend Heliot was waiting for him. "Did the old witch get you?" he sounded so excited "c'mon now Heliot. My mom's no witch.she's just a mean Angel". They walked down the road and boarded a taxi towards school.