Chapter 1-Darkest Days
Flags of royal blue with gold trim flew half-mast over the great castle of Ghaldyria as the sun began to fade into the realm of Zalarion's horizon. It was a day of tragedy as the citizens of this great elven kingdom wept for the loss of one of it's greatest heroes. His name was King Alvarrin Shaaldrowbane and he was known throughout the realm for leading the victory charge in the great battle known as the War of Ages.
What made his untimely passing so devastating was the manner of death. He was poisoned and the accused killer was his eldest son Daellien Shaaldrowbane.
It wasn't long before he was eventually arrested and awaiting trial with the possibility of a death sentence for a murder he adamantly denied. This was a difficult situation because Daellien was beloved by the masses in Ghaydria and abroad.
On the eve of the trial, Daellien's sister Nazarelle Shaaldrowbane freed him and his family in a daring rescue in the middle of the night. She was accompanied by a small band of loyal followers to her brother. They managed to escape without detection into the nearby forest but were far from safe.
Nazarelle provided Daellien, his wife, and their two children blue cloaks.
"You must hurry and lead your family to safety. I will escort the others to our secret base camp," said Nazarelle.
Daellien nodded his head and looked over to his family.
"Take this," said Nazarelle as she handed her brother a pristine blue crystal sword.
"I am forever indebted to you for this," said Daellien.
"We must part ways now brother," said Nazarelle as she vanished into the forest.
At that moment, Daellien remembered a portal that led directly to the earth realm that he and his siblings used a few years early. He was faced with a difficult and life-altering decision for his family but knew there was no choice. With the ongoing threat of a trial he could not win and the looming threat of the Dreth Knaught Legion, the choice was clear.
"We must run as fast as we can to the northern part of the forest," said Daellien as he cradled his daughter in his arms.
"Why the north?" asked his wife Vivian.
Daellien quickly grabbed Vivian by the arm and hid behind a large tree as a patrol of Ghadyrian soldiers stormed by on golden unicorns.
"The reason we are heading north is because that's where the sync gate leading to your realm is located," said Daellien. "
"This feels like my home now," said Vivian. "Will we ever be able to set foot here again?"
"Yes, one day we will be together again," said Daellien.
The sky of Zalarion had an unusual purple hue and was well lit by its dual moons.
At that moment, a large dragon as black as the night with four large wings landed near a lake a few feet away. It was enormous, had menacing glowing blue eyes and a deafening roar that made the creatures of the night run away in fear.
"Don't make a sound," said Daellien as he put his hand on his sheathed sword.
The forest was dead silent and only the sound of the creature's roaring was heard throughout the area.
"I'm scared Daellien," whispered Vivian as she held on tightly to their children.
A small garrison of Ghaldyrian soldiers went to investigate the loud commotion and approached the creature with swords drawn in a tight battle formation. Daellien wanted to warn them but knew that was not an option under the dire circumstances. He sneaked his family into a safe area as the massive beast obliterated the soldiers with minimum effort. The blood-curdling screams of the soldiers in distress echoed throughout the forest.
"We're almost there," said Daellien.
Daellien safely guided his family down a winding dirt path that led to a small cave. "Wait here." he whispered as he unsheathed his sword."
The cave was slightly lit by several orange crystals protruding from the walls and a musty odor filled the air. The ground was damp, muddy and littered with bones of small animals.
Surprisingly, baby Abigail remained sound asleep and oblivious to the danger that surrounded her. Her big brother Eric clinched his mother's arm and gently laid his head on her shoulder.
Vivian was petrified with fear but she tried her best not to show it. She rocked back and forth and whispered lullabies to Eric and Abigail. The few minutes she waited for her husband's return seemed like hours. Then without warning, a shadowy figure walked back into the cave.
"Come, we must leave now," said Daellien as he grabbed Vivian by the hand.
"Where is that monster?" asked Vivian as she exited the cave.
"Don't look back," said Daellien.
The gateway leading to the earth realm was roughly two hundred yards away and partially hidden within another cave. The entrance was surrounded by thick brush and large trees.
"We are almost to the sync gate to earth," said Daellien.
When Daellien and his family came within fifty yards of their goal, the four-winged beast swooped down from the sky and landed directly in front of the sync gate.
"I'll distract him while you run with the children to the gate," Daellien yelled.
"I'm not going to leave your side," said Vivian.
"You have to leave now before it's too late," Daellien replied as he unsheathed his sword.
Vivian ran as fast as she could while Daellien waved his arms to get the dragon's attention.
Daellien took several deep breaths before he ran towards the dragon with his blue crystal sword drawn.
The black dragon reared its head back, opened its mouth and unleashed a devastating blast of blue flames. Daellien anticipated the move and did a barrel roll seconds before the blast hit the ground. The blast impact from the flames made a large crater and disintegrated small trees in the vicinity.
Daellien looked over his shoulder just as his family reached the sync gate. "Go through the gate now!" he shouted.
Vivian looked back at her husband and hesitated as she stood by the gateway. The sync gate was roughly ten feet tall and 6 feet wide, oval-shaped and made out of a gold like metal with four red circular crystals. The center emitted a blinding white light that got brighter and brighter the closer Vivian got to it.
The dragon turned its attention to Vivian and the children and Daellien took advantage of the unexpected distraction and lunged at it with all of his might. He successfully struck the beast in it right arm with his sword and opened up a gaping wound. The dragon staggered to the ground and clawed frantically at the sword which was lodged halfway into its arm as it yelped in agony.
This provided the perfect opportunity Daellien needed to rejoin his family at the portal to the earth realm. He and Vivian held each other's hand and jumped through the sync gate with their two children. They returned to the earth realm within seconds and exited a sync gate at the bottom of a lake. The year was 2002.
The tranquil night in the small suburb of Sapphire Point located on the outskirts of Seattle Washington was a far cry from the turmoil simmering in the realm of Zalarion.
Daellien and his family emerged from the lake in the middle of the town's forest and appeared distressed as they exited the water. Daellien embraced Vivian and gave her a long goodbye kiss.
"Don't leave Daellien," said Vivian.
"I will come back for you and the children once everything is safely back home," Daellien replied.
"Please promise me you will come back for us," said Vivian.
Daellien paused for a moment before hugging Vivian and their children. "I promise."
"I love you," said Vivian.
"I love you too," said Daellien. "Please let Eric and Abigail know that I will always love them no matter what happens."
"Wait, don't go!" Vivian pleaded as she cried on Daellien's shoulder.
"I have no choice," he replied. "I promise we will be reunited as a family very soon."
"Please stay just a little longer," said Vivian.
"I must go back home and make things right so that you and our children can live without fear," said Daellien. "You are my wife and I swore an oath to protect you."
"Goodbye Daellien," said Vivian as she disappeared into the forest with their children.
Daellien dropped to one knee and began punching the ground. Seconds later, a set of footprints appeared next to him.
"You must remain, strong brother," whispered Nazarelle who remained invisible.
"Make sure you stay within the shadows and protect them with your life until my return," Daellien said as he dove into the lake.
"Don't worry Daellien. I will do what needs to be done in your absence."
Moments later, Vivian, Eric, and Abigail safely reached the town. It was a new beginning but now there was no turning back.
"It feels good to be home again," said Vivian as she removed the hood of her cloak and looked up into the sky.
Vivian took a moment to reacquaint herself with the home she left three years ago. She took a deep breath and inhaled the aromas of pine trees and freshly cut grass. Something so routine in the past now seemed like an unforgettable event. It took a moment but reality of being back finally set in as she approached the front door of her house.
"I haven't had to use you in quite some time, my friend," said Vivian as she removed a key from a small compartment in a blue star-shaped necklace pendant draped around her neck.
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