Memories Lost - First of Apocalyptic Hell Series

The Queen

    Everyone looked at me, concern written on their faces or was in their eyes. Fayrova looked downright terrified. Asar took Vhaenna and wandered the store so I could contact the queen, Vivaldi walked away to stand guard. I set the telecom crystal in the center of the pentagram, my hands on either side of it as I focused and poured magic into it. The hum of power and the soft blue glow radiated from the crystal as the magic began to work. Fayrova laid next to me, her head rested on my leg while I worked. The warmth that radiated from her was comforting, I could also feel her giving me magical energy, but in a slow and steady stream. 

    “Hello my child, I sense you have an emergency on your hands. How may I help?” Queen Alenia’s warm voice echoed from the crystal. I released the crystal and looked up to see her face in a glowing orb above the crystal. 

    “I have an update on Lilith, your majesty.” I bowed my head towards the queen. 

    “My dear, I’m not physically there, there is no need to be so formal.” She smiled warmly at me, before her face grew grim, “What is your update on her?” 

    “Sorry, your majesty, I have here a young dragon that was kept imprisoned in Lilith’s domain. She was imprisoned with other dragons, all ranging from different ages. She told me that Lilith invaded the Dragon Lands and imprisoned as many dragons as they could take. She and her clutch mates were taken. Lilith is building a dragon army and is seeking riders.” I watched as she looked from me to Fayrova, watching her closely before smiling warmly at her. 

    “I never would have pegged you as a dragon rider, but I’m glad you were blessed with this opportunity. It saddens me to know that Lilith is doing such cruel things to magical beings.” The sadness was all over her face, “We are going to have to do what we can to free those dragons, but it’s going to take time to formulate a plan to do such a large feat.”

    “I offer my services, to sneak in and free as many dragons as I could, if I could be granted a small enough force we could slip in undetected and free as many as we can.” I was hopeful that she would grant me this assignment. 

    “I admire your determination, Sayuri, but I have to decline this offer. You are not ready and to put it simply have not had enough training. Until we can obtain more intel on her fortress, rushing in half c****d would be a death sentence to those who were part of that act.” I looked away from her, looking down at Fayrova’s face. She had drifted off to sleep, can’t say I blame her either, it’s a way to escape and I’m certain that she is exhausted from the trauma that she has lived through. 

    “We cannot risk angering Lilith, she could attempt a strike on Eindenia. She is powerful and since the next queen in line hasn’t been chosen yet, I cannot leave. As much as I would love to lead such a task force, the high council simply forbids such a risk. I cannot jeopardize Eindenia’s safety to leave to assist with this matter.” She paused for a moment, looking at me intently, “No, you will return as soon as you can. Change your course of travel and point it towards Eindenia. Bring along as many survivors as you can, but be careful. You have a young dragon with you and she escaped Lilith’s clutches, I wouldn’t be surprised if Lilith has her minions out scouring the land for her.” Her word was final, as much as I wanted to head for Lilith’s fortress and free those dragons I couldn’t go against her word. 

    “Yes, your majesty.” My voice was filled with sadness and disappointment. 

    “I truly am sorry. I know you have been training these past few years to aid in this war, but you are just not ready for such an assignment. It would pain me to lose you to that demoness. I know Theoden would be devastated to lose you as well, you have a family that loves you. More than you could ever know. Return safely to us and once you are home I will have you work with one of our best operatives to train you so when we do make the move you will be ready to join us.” I looked up at her, I knew she was right, but it still angered me that she didn’t think I was ready to join in this war. Lilith and her minions had taken so much from me. I want to help bring her to justice and send her back to the deepest cell in the seventh circle of Hell, where she belongs. Even Lucifer agrees that she deserves to rot for bringing a war to the human realm. 

    “I’ll prepare for our journey to Eindenia. We will head home soon, your majesty.” My voice was cold and crisp, I tried to hide my feelings, but it was certainly difficult to do. 

    “I am truly sorry, Sayuri, we will talk more when you arrive home. I have sent a guard down to assist in our travels home. Be careful and may the Goddess be with you.” She gave me a soft smile before the glowing orb wink out and the crystal’s glowing dimmed down to a dull and soft light. 

    It frustrated me that she was sending a guard now, I didn’t need more people to make this group larger. I sighed as I sat there staring at the crystal while scratching behind Fayrova’s horns. She began to stir while I scratched, purring and released a small puff of smoke before finally waking up. 

    `Oh, are you done talking to the queen?’ she asked and looked around confused for a moment, ‘I fell asleep! I’m sorry! I really wanted to meet her and help you with giving her details.’ she growled and scowled herself, I chuckled at her for doing so. 

    ‘No need to worry, you have had an exhausting life before finding me. You don’t have to worry about anything ever again. I promise.’ I stroked her cheek and gave her a soft smile. ‘Go ahead and rest, you need time to heal before we can start the journey to Eindenia.’ She purred in response before curling up in a ball and going back to sleep. 

    I watched her for a moment before picking up the crystal and rising to my feet, I didn’t want to just turn and run home, not when Lilith is working to strike against it. After everything I lived through because of the havoc she brought to this world, I am ready to fight her and end her terrible reign in the mortal realm. I sighed as I thought about it all, the greater scheme of things and the queen was right, we couldn’t just go off all halfcocked if we are to successfully rescue all those dragons. We had to prepare and train, if we didn't many innocents could die at the cost. I walked over to where the others were sitting, Vivaldi nickered softly to me. He could feel my emotions and knew I was conflicted about it all. Asar was working on preparing the meal for the evening with Vhaenna watching over him while she munched on some hay. 

    ‘You don’t look so happy, what did the queen say?’ Vivaldi asked, still watching me with concern. I sighed deeply in frustration, I wasn’t certain if I should tell him just yet. ‘I take it the meeting didn’t go so well. Is she going to do anything about Lilith with her building a dragon army?’ 

    ‘She has informed me that we are to return to Eindenia, and she is going to prepare a task force while they work to get intel on Lilith’s fortress so we don’t run in halfcocked. I just wish she’d trust me enough to send me, I am more than willing to be a part of a task force to free those dragons. They don’t deserve to be prisoners and be forced to submit to her will. But I understand why she wants us to return, she doesn’t want to put me at risk and she says I need more training.' I sighed again because as annoying as it was, I understand where she is coming from and she’s probably right that I need more training. 

    ‘Not to disagree with you and take the queen’s side, but she’s right. You don’t have the training yet.’ He looked at me with concern in his eyes, he knew how determined I was to prove that I could fight. ‘Plus there is a certain husband of yours that would like you to come home soon.’ he nickered in amusement at how I reacted to that. I stuck my tongue out at him and blew him a raspberry. 

    ‘Theoden knows that I want to fight. He can’t stop me if the queen agrees to let me fight, I fought in the Great Battle. I may not have been the best fighter, but I was there when Lilith rose from the Hellmouth with her demon army. I refuse to stand by and watch as others risk their lives to fight when I am capable of helping.’ I had to fight for what was right, those who have suffered deserve justice for what has happened to them. There are so many that can’t fight for themselves, like Fayrova and many others. 

    ‘Just because you want to fight, doesn’t mean that you need to or should do so. Yes there are many who have suffered at the cruel hands of Lilith, but you are worth more to Eindenia alive than off getting yourself killed. Eindenia needs you more than you care to think, the next queen hasn’t been chosen yet.’ I spun around and looked at Vivaldi, his eyes were calm as always giving nothing away. I scrutinized him for a moment, he wouldn’t say anything. Just returned to his hay and snorted at me.

    “Everything alright there? You seemed pretty upset when you came back from speaking with the Queen, did it not go well?” Asar asked, looking up at me from what he was doing with the food. 

    “I have been given orders to return as soon as possible, we will be staying close to here till Fayrova’s wings have healed enough to fly and she’s gained her strength to be able to keep up with us. What angers me is that the queen denied my request to rescue the dragons that are currently imprisoned in Lilith’s fortress.” I sighed in frustration, I know what Vivaldi said was right, except the part about Eindenia needing me. I’m nobody important so I don’t understand what he meant by that. 

    “And?” Asar questioned further. 

    “I want to rescue those dragons, they don’t deserve to be imprisoned by that demon bitch.” I spat, “Lilith has destroyed so many innocent lives, someone has to do something or she is going to keep going until she has destroyed every last piece of good in all the planes of existence. Justice needs to be served, she needs to be sent to the deepest cell in the seventh circle of Hell and left to rot for her crimes.” I thought back on the things that I’ve witnessed in the passing years, the horrible things Lilith would do to people. She enjoyed torturing people just for her own personal sick enjoyment. It was truly a nightmarish Hell before I made it to Eindenia, Theoden fought with all his might to bring me there. 

    “Well, maybe the queen will change her mind and let you join the mission to save those dragons.” He sounded so hopeful, I rolled my eyes at that comment. 

    “If only that is how it would work, I have to train hard when we return and even then I am doubtful that she would let me go. She has always been extremely protective of me, just for me to go on this mission I was forced to take Vivaldi. Even then she is always keeping tabs on me no matter what. I don’t understand it, she doesn’t do that with anyone else, unless they are royalty and are of some sort of importance to Eindenia.” I sighed, defeated, “I’m no one.” 

    “Don’t say that, you are someone! You are important!” Asar stated. “Just because you aren’t royal, doesn’t mean you are any less important.” He huffed at me. I gave him a small smile for his efforts. 

    “The survival of Eindenia doesn’t depend on me, I’m nothing special.” I sighed and turned away from Asar. I couldn’t let him see the tears that were starting to build and threatening to spill over, he didn’t persist on the subject luckily and left it at that, for a short time that is. 

    “You know, I am always willing to listen if you need to talk. Why don’t you tell me what is bothering you?” Asar looked at me, his eyes filled with compassion and kindness. I had worked for him for a while and in the short time I worked for him we did become friends. I sighed and finally surrendered, I knew he wouldn’t let up until I told him. 

    “Well I guess the best way to explain it all is to start from the beginning, I’ve never really told you about my past, have I?” he shook his head in response, “Alright, I guess it’s time for me to tell my story.” 

    As soon as I said ‘story’ Vhaenna and Fayrova suddenly perked up, Fayrova moved closer to me, resting her head on my lap as she looked up at me with those curious and innocent eyes. Vhaenna moved in and laid down behind Asar, she was looking directly at me with the same look Fayrova was giving me. Vivaldi snorted in annoyance, but he too moved closer and laid down on the other side of me, allowing me to lean against him. 

    “I guess to start with is I never have been anyone important, been used and abused most of my life, but never really was important. There is even a large section of my life that I don’t remember, memories gone and years erased, I don’t remember anything up until like 10 years before I met you, Asar. I relied on so many people, many of whom took advantage of me. No one knows anything about my past, the last thing I remember before everything was just gone was the time of the Renaissance.” he looked incredibly shocked when I mentioned the Renaissance.

    “You lived during the Renaissance?” He was completely astounded that I lived through that time era. 

    “Yes, I am over 2500 years old, to be exact I am 2515 years old.” I chuckled at the expression on his face. “Hold off on your questions until I am finished telling my story.” I scolded him lightly before giving him a quick smile.