Cursed Eternals

Chapter 9: Malakhai’s Rescue and Rebirth

Cast from the heavens, Malakhai’s fall from grace was as tragic as it was unjust. Stripped of his wings and celestial status, he plummeted through the realms, his essence flickering like a dying star. His breathing grew shallow as the magic coursed through him, cutting off his air. The injury to his chest burned with unyielding fire, a torment unlike any he had ever known. The pain was unlike anything ever felt, surpassing even the pains of death.

The ancient, timeless guardians of wisdom and power found Malakhai. These beings, who could sense the shifting tides of destiny, recognized the injustice wrought upon the angel. With their potent magic, powerful reptilian creatures enveloped him in a cocoon of healing flames, not to scorch, but to mend. The spell etched itself on his skin, and the mark of the sword faded. Rekindled by the embers of life, he awoke among the powerful reptiles, his first sight being their eyes glowing with the fires of creation.

“Malakhai,” the eldest dragon spoke, his voice the crackling of an eternal flame, “someone has wronged you, and they have disturbed the balance of the realms. We shall aid you, for your cause is just, and your love is pure. We do not stand for such injustice by the god Eldur.”

As Malakhai stirred, the dragon world breathed life into his weary soul. The celestial fires which previously decorated his plumage now danced in his eyes, reflecting the fiery nature of the beasts themselves. His back was empty, a constant reminder that he would never again feel the flight of his feathered limbs or my hand upon them.

“Malakhai,” the eldest dragon spoke anew, its voice echoing like thunder. “Your fall was not the end, but the beginning. Not a heavenly guardian, but a protector of all realms, you are reborn. We plan to gift you with new abilities so that you may save Aelwyn. She is a treasure, and we pledged our support to help her succeed and secure her fate.”

A renewed sense of purpose lifted Malakhai. He wouldn’t reclaim his place, but stand vigilant, a beacon of hope in a world teetering on darkness. And so, with the mythical dragons as his kin, Malakhai took up his calling. His tale, once a lament, became legend, reflecting the strength of his spirit and the mercy of the ancients.

Within the dragon sanctuary, Malakhai’s arduous journey of rebirth begun. No longer an angel, he sought strength from the primordial ones, learning the Earth’s secrets, the wind’s language, and the fire’s fortitude. Day by day, he grew stronger, his spirit forged anew in the lair of the dragons. Time moved differently in their domain, as most did not age daily. His worry was how long it would take him before he could return to rescue me.

Shrouded in the mists of eternity, the Draconic land was timeless compared to the normal world. Soaring mountains, plunging valleys, a land of extremes. The sky was a tapestry of colors unseen in the human spectrum, painting the horizon with hues of dreams and twilight.

Rivers of liquid crystal flowed through the verdant forests, teeming with familiar and fantastical creatures. The air itself hummed with the power of ancient spells, and the wind carried whispers of secrets long forgotten.

At the center of this realm stood the Great Roost, a palace carved from living stone and bathed in the eternal flame. It was here that these magnificent creatures convened, their scales aglow with the fires of creation, their eyes alight with wisdom that spanned the ages.

These majestic beasts guarded the balance of the worlds, their voices resonating in harmony. Keepers, stewards, architects—they were all.

As Malakhai walked among them, he could feel the pulse of the universe, hear the heartbeat of the infinite, and understand the warmth of an enduring light.

“I must return to Aelwyn,” Malakhai vowed, his determination unwavering. “I have to find my way back to her, to the love that binds us.”

The reptilian creatures, seeing his resolve, pledged their support. “We shall teach you the ways of the Drakon, the paths through the skies that are known only to our kind. You shall ride the currents of the world, and the planet shall be your stepping stone.”

Malakhai trained with the dragons, his body and mind honing into a vessel capable of enduring the journey to Earth. His breath caused a portal to open—a gateway allowing Malakhai to travel. Reuniting with me consumed his thoughts.

Malakhai stepped through, wielding the might of dragons, the strength of Earth, and an unyielding will. With my memory lost, his quest, though challenging, found Malakhai prepared. Love and incredible magic fueled his journey.

In the tranquil eye of a perpetual storm, Malakhai found refuge beneath Aerath’s immense wing. The noble beast saw a spark of hope in the fallen celestial.

With humility, Malakhai addressed Aerath, saying, “I have faltered. The rune I sought to summon was flawed, and the winds turned against me.”

Aerath landed with a grace that belied its size, the ground stirring at its touch. “Malakhai, the path of magic is fraught with trials. Each misstep is a lesson, each error a guidepost on the road to mastery.”

Malakhai nodded, absorbing the dragon’s words. “I understand, but how do I gain control? I lack enough wind control.”

The Wind Weaver regarded him with a look that held the depth of the skies. “Control comes from within. You must find the still point in your spirit, the eye of the storm deep inside your heart. Only then will the winds heed your call.”

Malakhai squeezed his eyes shut, reflecting on Aerath’s advice. He sought the calm center of his being, where his inner core met the turbulent human essence.

“Feel the current of air as it moves around you,” the guide continued. “It is part of you, part of nature’s power. You share a commonality with the wind.”

With renewed focus, Malakhai returned to the magic that flowed through the realm. He moved with intent this time, his inner turmoil quelled by the serenity Aerath had helped him find. The rune formed once more, lines of light steady and true. A soft wind danced around Malakhai, a playful current of air and energy.

“See,” a murmur from Aerath confirmed, “you control both storm and whisper.”

Malakhai opened his eyes, the rune complete and glowing with promise. He had taken the first step towards true mastery, and with Aerath’s guidance, he walked the rest.

As his training progressed, Malakhai grew more adept at harnessing the elements and commanding the winds. The dragons watched with pride as he honed his skills, each day bringing him closer to his goal. Malakhai was about to leave the dragons’ sanctuary and begin his quest to rescue me.

The Dragon Council convened one last time to give their blessings to Malakhai. Each member imparted a gift, a token of their power and wisdom, to aid him on his journey.

The Fire Warden gifted him a flame that would never extinguish, a source of warmth and light in the darkest times.

The Tide Caller gave him a vial of enchanted water capable of healing wounds and purifying poison.

The Sculptor presented him with a rock of immense strength, a symbol of resilience and endurance.

The Wind Weaver offered a feather from its wing, a charm that allowed Malakhai to call upon the winds whenever he needed them.

The Light-Bringer offered a fragment of pure illumination, a beacon to guide him through the shadows.

The Shadowmancer handed him a cloak woven from the fabric of night, granting him the ability to move unseen.

The Timekeeper gave upon him a pendant that held the essence of time, allowing him to glimpse moments of the past and future.

With these gifts, Malakhai felt the weight of the dragons’ trust and the power of their ancient magic. Undeterred by obstacles, he would traverse realms to find me.

The next portal gave Malakhai might, love, and grace. Though I had lost my memory and was now mortal, our devotion was the most wondrous enchantment of all, making Malakhai’s search challenging.

Through the next gateway, Malakhai transported boons, might, and affection. Despite the difficulties Malakhai encountered in finding me, a mortal woman with no recollection of my divine heritage, our affection proved to be his guiding light.

He traversed the passage and found himself in a twilight realm, where the boundaries between light and darkness were indistinct. The air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers and the sound of rustling leaves. The ground beneath his feet was soft and mossy, and the sky above was a canvas of deep purples and oranges.

“Aelwyn, I am coming for you. Our love will guide me through this realm,” Malakhai vowed, his heart filled with determination.

He ventured deeper into the mystical place, his resolve unyielding. The path ahead was fraught with challenges, but Malakhai’s determination remained steadfast. He encountered beings of light and shadow, each testing his strength and willpower.

As he explored the world, he felt Eldur’s minions. The air grew heavy with heat, and the ground beneath his feet trembled. From the shadows, the minions emerged, their forms wreathed in fire, obscured by shadow.

“Hand over the Stella Carta, and you might live,” the minion leader hissed. “Resist, and you will face the wrath of Eldur.”

“I will not surrender the Stella Carta,” Malakhai declared, his voice unwavering. “I have come too far and faced too many trials to give up now. If you wish to take it, you must go through me.”

A fierce battle ensued, with Malakhai fighting against Eldur’s minions. His determination and love for me gave him the strength to hold his ground. Despite the minions’ relentlessness, Malakhai’s resolve remained unbreakable.

With every strike and parry, the memory of our time together fueled his actions. He remembered my laughter, my touch, the way my presence filled him with light. These memories were his shield, protecting him from the darkness that threatened to overwhelm him.

Summoning the power of the gifts given upon him by the Dragon Council, Malakhai fought with unmatched prowess. Despite the minions’ attacks, the Fire Warden’s fiery defense persevered. The Tide Caller’s enchanted water healed his wounds, allowing him to continue the fight. The Sculptor’s rock gave him strength, and the Wind Weaver’s feather guided his movements with grace. Because: The Light-Bringer’s fragment lit his way, and the Shadowmancer’s cloak offered concealment as needed. Because: He could expect his enemies’ moves because the Timekeeper’s pendant showed him glimpses of the past and future.

One by one, the minions fell, their forms dissipating into the shadows from which they had emerged. Malakhai stood firm, his chest heaving, despite the scorched and battered ground around him. He had defeated Eldur’s minions, but he knew the battle was far from over.

With renewed determination, Malakhai continued his journey through the twilight realm. He followed the subtle clues and signs left behind, guiding him closer to me. The realm’s challenges grew more intense, but Malakhai’s resolve only strengthened with each obstacle he overcame.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Malakhai reached a serene clearing bathed in the soft glow of twilight. The scent of blooming flowers and the gentle hum of life permeated the air. At the center of the clearing, I stood, my presence a beacon of light in the dimness.

“Aelwyn,” Malakhai called out, his voice filled with emotion.

I turned towards him, my eyes reflecting the same longing and determination. “Malakhai,” I whispered, my heart swelling with love and relief.

As we embraced, the bond between us reignited, our love a force that transcended realms and time. The memory of our shared past flooded back, and I realized our journey was far from over. Together, we would face whatever challenges lay ahead, guided by the strength of our love and the unity of our allies.

With our hearts intertwined and our spirits alight with determination, Malakhai and I set forth on the next phase of our quest. The realms awaited our return, and we were ready to bring peace and harmony to all who inhabited them.