The Red Soul

Chapter Nineteen

After their conversation, they walked to the garden together. Amaeron mumbled something to Aeryn about training. The girl's eyes immediately grew wide with excitement when she heard the words. She ran cheerfully forward through the colonnade.

Not wanting to walk all the way through the castle again, they took a shortcut, which meant crossing the narrowest part of the lake, which was only possible if they stepped over several large stones laying in the water.

Amaeron turned to Myris with a doubtful look. “It's better for my leg if I cross the stones alone, but Aeryn shouldn't be crossing the water alone in case she slips and falls on the stone. Would you mind crossing with her?”

With a quick look at the girl, Myris nodded, swallowing. She had no understanding of dealing with children, and she was a stranger to the girl. She hoped Aeryn did not mind.

The youngest was neatly waiting for them. Her light eyebrows raised questioningly as Myris approached her instead of Amaeron. “Shall we go together, Aeryn?” she asked, nervous but kindly.

The girl looked at Amaeron for a moment, then took Myris' hand and they stepped together on the first stone. It was not as bad as it seemed. The stones were firmly in the ground, sucked on their place by the mud. Nor were they too slippery. Whenever there was a gap between two stones, Myris swung Aeryn high into the air and they jumped together to the next stone, giving both of them bright smiles.

Aeryn urged her to do it multiple times, even when there was no gap to cross, but Myris happily did it until her arms got tired. Fortunately, they were across the stream, where they were welcomed by other voices enthusiastically shouting their names.

Fyrian sprinted towards them, his face surprised by seeing them, followed by Viera and Cearen who were approaching her and Aeryn in a slower pace. Both Fyrian and Viera were carrying weapons with them, the former dropping his sword as ran towards them. Elyos was the last one to arrive, but instead of approaching her as well, he settled himself under a tree with a book in his hand.

Aeryn also ran towards Fyrian, screaming in joy as he picked her up and swung her around in circles. “Aerie! Did you miss me?”

She nodded violently and put her arms around him for a hug. Then she pushed herself away from him as a sign that Fyrian had to put her down. As soon as she stood on the ground again, she went straight to Viera and ended up with Cearen, who she cuddled the longest. Both the green and pink eyes both started to shine a little brighter.

Meanwhile, Fyrian had grabbed Myris hand. He stroked her cheek with his thumb, making her look up at him. There was worry in his eyes.

She immediately lowered her head. Of course, he was concerned. She had run away without giving them a chance to explain. Just like her, they were not unfazed by Diva's words. In fact, they had lived much longer with the contempt poured out upon the High Souls. Yet, she had pushed them away again. She had been afraid that they would leave her, but it would have been the opposite if Amaeron had not stopped her. It was selfish of her, and she did not understand why they all went to such lengths for her when she was so rotten inside. But even though she did not get it, she was thankful for it.

Putting her arms around him, she nuzzled her forehead against his neck. She apologized quietly, knowing it was not enough. Fyrian, on the other hand, held her tight as if he did not even hesitate to forgive her. She could feel a holster of a dagger against her thigh as he exhaled with relief at her touch.

For a moment he leaned back so that he could look at her again. “What made you change your mind?”

“Amaeron talked me out of it.”

The white-haired Fae pulled her back against him and kissed her forehead. Then he turned his head to the man who just put his last foot on the grass, making Myris unable to see Fyrian’s face.

Satisfied, Amaeron looked briefly at the couple, but then moved on to Cearen and Aeryn. His face brightened as well, as he petted both Aeryn’s and Cearen’s hair. Myris saw how his eyes were focused on Cearen's smile.

“Myris, save me!”

Turning her head, Myris looked confused at her Viera who had grabbed her by the shoulder, pulling her from Fyrian and shaking her back and forth. She, as well, had a holster for a dagger strapped around her right thigh.

“From what?”

“Viera doesn't want to train with us again, as usual.” Fyrian rolled his eyes.

“Train?”

“Yes, both our magic and our body. Besides getting influenced by our emotions, magic is linked to our energy. The healthier your body and the stronger your stamina, the more powerful your magic is and the longer you can use it,” Fyrian explained as he walked back to pick up the sword from the ground. “Besides, since your arrival, we have also not trained properly with our weapons. But we have to make sure that we are still in good condition now that we will have to get that box soon, which won’t be easy.”

Myris bit her lip as she followed him. “Why? What is in that box and why won’t it be easy?”

Scratching the backside of his head, Fyrian frowned, but Viera who came after them as she saw that Cearen, Aeryn and Amaeron were talking amongst themselves simply shrugged her shoulders. “Actually, we do not know what’s inside the box.”

“What? Are you serious? Then… then why is it so important?” Myris stuttered incredulously, staring at the two Fae in front of her with a hand in her hair.

“Well, when Diva received the box years ago, she was told that whatever was inside it, it would be our way out,” Fyrian mused as he turned his sword in his hand, playing with the light reflecting on it, before looking back at Myris. “And even though we despise her, it was Elyos who she informed about it. She never lies to him, so we have to believe her. After all, what options do we have if we want to get out of here?”

Hearing the sigh leaving his lips as he spoke the last sentence, Myris supressed her own. Even though she wondered how Diva received a box like that in the first place- who had given it to her- she could not deny that it would be unlikely for the woman to lie to Elyos. Perhaps that was why Diva was not fully refusing to help them after she had seen Elyos. She could benefit from it too. Perhaps that was why she gave them the key without much resistance.

“Is that why she gave you a key? Is it the key that will open the box?”

Viera shook her head. “No. The box is too small for that key too fit. That key is to open up a gate to the place where Diva has hidden the box. And that is the problem. She has hidden it in…”

“Eurum, the soulless prison.” Amaeron finished as he stood beside them with Cearen and Aeryn. All their faces darkened as he mentioned it. Even Myris, who had not heard of it before, felt a shiver ran down her spine.  

“Diva did not lie when she said she is a queen, or rather, she was. Because of the war, Diva lost her kingdom. It is the main reason why she hates humans so much. After we got locked up here, she and her followers wanted to kill the humans that got stuck with us, not caring that they stood on our side. Elyos and I opposed her, and even though the other High Souls were gone, she knew that she could not win against us. Especially now that she lost the majority of her army. She did not have the desire to fight against Elyos anyway.” 

Amaeron massaged his forehead with his thumb and index finger. “Yet, she still caused chaos, not being able to life amongst the humans like us and the other creatures. I did not want to fight her, because even though we would probably win, she is powerful and it would cost too many lives, something we already lost to many of. So, when it almost went out of hand with her, I made a deal. I would grant Diva a part of Olèrian, over which she could reign. In turn, she would leave the rest of Olèrian alone… and she would be a gatekeeper to Eurum, a prison created to keep the remaining Nairons contained.”

Fyrian snorted. “Yeah, Elyos gets still pissed off whenever you mention it.”

“Yes, you’re right. The deal was made much with disapproval of Elyos who rather would have killed her. But again, that would also lead to a battle that we could not afford at that time.” Amaeron glanced at the male under the tree who was busy writing in the book he was holding, not paying any attention to them. Then his eyes lowered to the ground and the grip on his cane tightened. “Yet, even I sometimes thought, sometimes think, it would have been better if we had killed her. I would have probably killed her and her followers if Elyos had not been with me. Without him, any form of negotiation would most likely not even have been possible.”

Myris and the others also stared at Elyos. As if the male sensed the stares, he raised his head for a second before continuing to write. He appeared not to be interested in their conversation. Yet, Myris had a weird feeling that the man somehow knew what they were talking about anyway.

Movement in the corner of her eye made her look away and towards Cearen, who previously had distracted Aeryn. As he handed the girl to Viera and his hands were empty again, he used them to sign things Myris did not know. But she was aware he had a lot to say by his quick movement.

Fyrian hummed. “Cearen is right. Although it hurts to say, it was the right call to make that deal. Without Diva, someone else would have to manage Eurum, and the only people beside her who would be able to keep the Nairons fully under control would be either Elyos or one of the Zurag.”

“Zurag? What are Zurag?”

Fyrian eyes widened in realisation by hearing Myris’ question. “Oh right, you do not know that name yet. Well… Zurags are a special group of monsters also known as soul collectors. When someone has died, they have the ability to take the soul before it fades and moves on. If they get a hold of a soul in time, they have the option to merge it with their own in order to obtain its ability for a certain amount of time.” As he explained it, his voice became lower and his eyes were filled with disgust. The knuckles of the hand that were holding the sword were turning white. “Nobody likes them. Taking someone’s soul is worse than taking someone’s life, you know… although that is also not an issue for them. A war is like a feast for them. There almost as bad as the corrupted souls.”

“Ragnos is a Zurag if that gives you a picture,” Viera added, “But that is just a reason why a Zurag as gatekeeper instead of Diva is not an improvement.”

Seeing both Fyrian and Viera’s displeased faces, Aeryn tilted her head. When Viera noticed it, a smile quickly formed on her face and she tickled the younger girl on her belly, making Aeryn giggle and the others smile as well.

Myris however, could not enjoy the cute moment. Her mind was running wild by the new information. She had seen Ragnos twice now, and although that was not a lot, it was enough to know that he was strong. Whenever he held his scythe, he seemed like a serious threat. Even if he was nothing compared to Diva or Elyos, he still seemed more dangerous than most other monsters.

If such people were needed to guard that prison- to keep those creatures under control…

“So… so Eurum is that perilous… and… and we have to go in there… to get that box?” Myris gulped.

Amaeron, who was also frowning unlike the rest, nodded. “Yes. It even can be seen as the most dangerous place in Olèrian. So, we understand if you do not want to go with us.”

Her first thought was to immediately decline and stay in the castle where it was safe, but the word did not pass her lips. It sounded like a place where only death awaited, yet the ones in front of her were willing to take the risk. They were probably not even hesitating as it meant that there was a chance of freedom. It probably did not matter to them how small that chance was. They were prepared to risk it for themselves and for their people… just as they had not hesitated to help her; had not hesitated to help her despite the many injuries and damages she had caused.

“I would like to help, but I think I will only make it worse. I am still awful at controlling fire. Stuff still bursts into flames around me whenever I try to use it. And my inner magic refuses to appear again…”

“That is why we want to train for today. See in what kind of condition you are, both physically and with your magic. If you still have doubts after it, you can always stay home.” Fyrian grinned as he spun the sword in his hand, making Viera grunt, something Fyrian did not miss.

He raised the weapon and pointed it towards Viera. “After all, it also helps keep our minds healthy, which is especially important for you, Elyos and Myris. So, the three of you better get ready!” he said as he also gestured at Myris and Cearen.

Viera's mouth fell open when Myris nodded enthusiastically, to which in return, Myris showed her a sheepish smile. Although she had spent her childhood reading a lot, after she met Yrag, the two of them trained almost every day. They would run for hours, building her stamina and improving her agility. He even had taught her how to throw knifes.

However, all of that was gone to waste when she was thrown into that tower and all her habits, feelings and thoughts were shattered. Eurum was not the only terrible prison in this world.

For those two years, years she had longed for death; had given up on her life. Even now, the small hope that she would be able to return to her old life she had when she had escaped was gone. It had been perished in the fire and pulverized into ashes. But this would be small step to the her she was before she was imprisoned.

And it could be a step towards rescuing Yrag.

As Fyrian had said, how much options did they have? If she wanted to save Yrag, she would need to get out of Olèrian. And although her hopes were not high that they could ever find way to break the barrier, they needed to try.

She just wondered if she could keep up with immortal beings like the Fae. Even if she had not been out of shape, she was still human.

Seeing her enthusiasm, Fyrian also became more excited. He took Myris' hand and led her a bit further away from the lake.

Putting Aeryn down, so Amaeron could take her with him as they both went to Elyos, Viera reluctantly followed. Cearen was still smiling as he walked with them. Unlike Viera, he did not seem to mind to train. Softly pushing the woman with his elbow, Myris noticed that he even tried to cheer her up.

When they stood between the lake and the trees, Myris blushed slightly and looked at the flowers at her feet as Fyrian placed his hands on her hips. She felt her skin tingle with the new warmth, even through the material of her clothes.

The clearly experienced combatant gave her brief instructions on how to stretch her body, some of which she even remembered from her own training sessions. This also occasionally earned her small prizes. Yet, even she was aware that her posture was not ideal anymore, and they cost her more effort than they used to. In addition, Fyrian soon came up with new positions, which only remined her in what of a bad state her body was.

Still, she did not complain. She enjoyed being able to move freely again, even if her muscles burned.

“Okay, the next thing to do is- Ah Viera, come on!”

Surprised by Fyrian’s sudden complaint, Myris looked around and saw Fyrian sigh heavily at his twin sister, who lay down on the grass with her eyes closed. He walked over to her and tugged at her arms to pull her to her feet, making him growl.

“Let me be! This is my stretching method,” she moaned.

Fyrian put his arms in his side, irritated. “For the umpteenth time, sleeping is not part of the warming up!”

Myris chuckled when Viera did not respond.

Fyrian clicked his tongue. He added some strength and lifted her to her feet, making her sit. “Then I'll help you,” he said with a mischievous grin.

Before Viera could protest, he leaned her full weight on her back, causing her to lean forward. Fyrian then took her arms and stretched them to her spread legs.

A painful groan left Viera's mouth. Just before she wanted to start shouting, Fyrian stood up again and she fell back into the grass, breathing heavily and with a red face. She gave him a dirty gesture.

In a few seconds Cearen had knelt beside her and placed a green-lit hand on Viera's back. Aeryn who had ran back to them because she wanted to join, was giggling next to him.

However, both Cearen and Viera went back on their feet when Elyos came up to them. The way Fyrians’ corners of his mouth lifted made Myris believe she was unprepared for this afternoon.