The Forgotten Queen

Secrets Within the Black Mist

Sara screamed, feeling the monster's blood splashing on her face. Her face cringed in disgust as she clapped her hands to beam a force to throw the beast that wanted to attack her. Sara stumbled backward, leaning against the wagon, and panted heavily.

Aiden stuck the beast down and glanced over at Sara, who looked tired. He looked back, seeing more Shadow Beasts emerging from the shadows. They had been fighting for so long, and Sara's magic must be weakening.

He commanded his shadow to attack as he ran to Sara's side. "Are you okay!?" he asked.

Sweat covered her forehead. She tried calming her heavy breathing and glanced at Aiden. "What do you think?" she asked, lifting an eyebrow.

Aiden chuckled, seeing that Sara was not backing down. They glanced over at where Aiden's shadows fought with the beasts. They both realized that his shadow magic could not manage the beasts. "We need to leave," Aiden said.

Before Sara could say anything, hands grabbed Aiden and Sara's shoulders, causing them to jump and snap their gaze. Their gaze met with Edward. "Jump in!" Edward said.

Aiden helped Sara into the wagon as Edward coast a sun reflect spell to the beasts, scaring them away. Once Aiden and Sara were in, Edward slipped back in, and Kai commanded the horse to move.

The horse turned the horse then ran back down the path. Both Aiden and Edward watched the back of the wagon and got rid of any monsters that attacked.

During the chaos, an exhausted Sara realized Isla was not in the wagon. She weakly called out to Edward and Aiden, but they were too occupied. She forced the last of her energy and grabbed Aiden's trouser leg.

Aiden felt a tag on his trouser and glanced over his shoulder, seeing Sara. "Isla is not here!" she said.

Aiden snapped his gaze away from Sara, glancing around the wagon. There was no sight of Isla, and he turned to Edward. He grabbed Edward and pulled him towards him. "Isla is missing! We need to turn back!" Aiden said.

Edward glared at Aiden and pulled away from Aiden's grasp. "There is nothing we can do! This is Isla's mission, and we just have to wait!" Edward said.

Without turning his gaze away from Aiden's glare, his hand swagged, reflecting another light spell to a beast close to the wagon. Silence embraced the wagon as Edward and Aiden both turned their gaze back to protecting the wagon.

Sara passed out, and Kai commanded the horse to pick up the pace. Kai noticed Shadow Beasts racing against the wagon. He groaned in annoyance, then freed his hands and muttered a spell. He clapped his hands, and a firey magic circle appeared, then a fire shield surrounded the wagon.

The wagon stopped, causing Aiden and Edward to snap their gaze at Kai. They turned to back to watch the beasts gathered around the wagon.

The surrounding monsters approached the wagon without hesitation. They closed the wagon, and Kai snapped his eyes widened, causing the fire shield to explode. Those that attacked the wagon were burnt and frightened the others.

Once the creatures stepped away, Kai continued to command the enchanted horse to race down the path. Edward and Aiden did not lower their guard, watching the back of the wagon.

Nothing was said until they emerged outside the Black Mist. Camp members welcomed them back, helping them off the wagon. Aiden jumped out of the wagon, storming away from Edward as his blood boiled.

Edward stared at Aiden's back as he walked away. He stepped out as camp members helped Sara out of the wagon.

"How long must we wait for Her Highness?" Kai asked with a sigh.

"She has a month..." Edward said.

Kai's eyes widened in surprise. "A month!? What are you going to do if she does not return?"

Edward turned his gaze to Kai, then glanced down at his clothing. He sighed and cleared his throat. "Do you not remember your history?" Edward asked.

Kai's lips shut and became silent, looking to the Black Mist. He silently prayed to the gods that Isla was protected by their divine powers and for Isla to return safely.

The Mist Voyagers' Camp went back to the ordinary, waiting for their next travel into the mist.

A night passed, and the following day Aiden waited close to the gates of the Black Mist. Sara was in a long slumber, despite the entire night's healing. Aiden does not speak a word to anyone, especially to Edward.

Edward remained unbothered about leaving Isla. He understood this was Isla's final step in becoming Guardian.

The only thing he could do was to pray to the gods for Isla.

Another night passed, and Sara woke. She tried arguing with Edward to convince him they needed to help Isla. However, she wasted her breath and just murmured as she waited like the rest.

Everyone waited.

They waited for the Eighth Guardian of Aurora.

Meanwhile, lost within the Black Mist. Isla wondered, seeing nothing and hearing nothing. Her breathing increased as she clenched her sword. She gulped nervously, glancing over at her shoulder and worrying about the other.

Isla did not know how long she had been wandering in the mist. No shadow beast has attacked her since her exit from the wagon.

She wanted to call out for help, but worrying about attracting the beasts weighed her. She stayed quiet, either heading towards the group or away from them.

"Let the fire within burning, remember the earth beneath as the wind carries you and flow like water into the world of spirits..." Isla whispered and continued moving forward.

"I loathe that saying..."

Isla snapped her gaze, looking around to find the person who said this. However, she saw nothing different. The dark clouds surrounded her, but she glanced around. "Who's there!" she yelled, lifting her sword.

A chuckle echoed through the night clouds, surrounding her and increasing her fear. She did not falter, keeping her sword up like her guard. "How long has it been since the last Guardian?" the mysterious person asked.

"It has been a hundred since the appearance of a Guardian, and then the seventh never entered the mist. But was killed," he said, chuckled. "So... a hundred and fifteen? Sixteen years?"

"What?" she asked.

"Since the last Guardian entering the mist... Has it been a hundred and fifteen or sixteen years?"

"I think so..."

"Think so?"

Another chuckle echoed, followed by a growl rumbling within the fogs. Isla was frustrated, feeling this stranger was messing with her. She sighed in annoyance and lowered her blade, then stood still. "How about you step out from the shadows?" she asked.

"Oh, look who's brave!"

Isla rolled her eyes and stood straight with her head held high. She had an emotionless expression.

Another chuckle echoed. "You present yourself like those nobles," a voice spoke behind Isla.

"Maybe because I have been taught etiquette," she said.

"Hmm, that is needed for a Guardian..."

Isla took a deep breath before turning on heels, coming face to face with the mysterious person. A man stood before her.

He looked to be in his early twenties but with messy greyish-white curly hair and ashy grey eyes. He wore a black cloak, making Isla wonder if he was lost Mist Voyager.

She noticed he carried no sword or any weapon. She wondered if he knew magic.

The thought of him knowing magic could stand that the camp sent a search for her. But she remembered his questioning. They were strangers. Though he knew she was a Guardian, he disrespected her.

Isla knew she should not lower her guard in any way. She did not know who this man before her stood for.

"What are you called?" he asked, nodding his head at her.

Isla's eyes widened in shock. No one, not even Sara, has ever talked to her as such. She did not want to answer him, but looking at him, she wondered if his ego was massive as this mist.

"Isla Trivia, Eighth Guardian," she said.

He hummed to himself, then extended his hand. "Wolf Trivia, third Guardian," he said.

Isla could not stop herself and scoffed, stepping backward and narrowing her gaze at him. "How bare you miss using a late Guardian name?" she asked.

"Which part? Wolf? or Trivia?"

Isla lifted an eyebrow, questioning his seriousness. The Trivia name was considered a Holy name and only given to new Guardians after being taken in. Anyone found misusing this name as their own, once caught, was put to death.

Does this man not fear death? Isla asked herself, staring at that strange man.

"Seriously... Who are you?" she asked again.

"Wolf," he said with a smirk.

Isla watched his hand lowered, and a Shadow beast revealed itself from the darkness. She drew her sword high, but it stood beside the man. He looked calm and placed his hand on the head of the creature.

"Do you not wonder why they never attacked you?" he asked.

"They attacked the wagon."

He chuckled. "Welcome to the gates to the spirit world," he said, and dark fog blew towards him, embracing him and disappearing with the creature. "There is something different about you..."

Isla glanced in search of Wolf, but his voice echoed and was carried by the winds. "I see the light embracing you. After all these years, the gods have faith in you and send you."

"Should I trust you?" he asked, appearing behind Isla.

Isla turned on her heels, swagging her sword, and Wolf's hand quickly grabbed the sharp blade. She was surprised but did not show it. Wolf could shatter the sword's edge. Instead, he pushed it away from him.

They stared at each other. "Why should I trust you?" Isla asked, stepping forward with her head held high.

"Our kingdom is in danger, and there is a leech."

"A leech?"

Isla frowned and gulped nervously. She could not shake the unease of her unbelievable trust in the strange man. He called himself the late Wolf Trivia and said there was a leech in the kingdom.

"From the light to a leech in the kingdom? What are you trying to say?" she asked, rolling his eyes.

"The kingdom is losing its power, and a leech is the cause of this. The spirit world gate grows, and the balance scale of life and death is tipping. The gods choose you for a reason... If you care for the kingdom, I suggest you investigate this matter."

"I do not have time for this madness. I must become Guardian."

"You will be one... I give you my word, I am Wolf Trivia, the third Guardian, and keeper of the spirit world gate. There is a deadly secret within the kingdom. Once this secret is revealed, your greatest desire will be granted."

A growl rumbled in the darkness. The Shadow Beasts roamed around them, but their growl was not of anger. It sounded more like the purr of a soothing pet. "I can only trust you with a contract agreement being placed. Do you know how we return to camp? Edward--"

"I wish this agreement remains between the gods and us. After all, there are many eyes and ears in the camp," he said.

Can she really trust him without the company of Edward or anyone else?

"Do you know magic?" she asked, and he nodded.

Isla extends her hand, Wolf takes it, then a magic circle appears. "We both search for this leech, and if there is no sign of this... Then you leave. However, if you dare harm anyone close to me or the kingdom of Aurora, then I will take your head."

Wolf smirked at Isla's statement. He nodded, understanding her concern. "You also need to agree that you never mention our meet or agreement and say that you have not received your magic."

"What?"

"Do you agree?" he asked.

Hesitant, she cleared her throat and nodded her head. "Agreed," she said.