Chapter 25: The Decision and the Altar of the Four Gods
Monica listened to Limon and Dings carefully telling their stories about their past patiently and with astonishment, when she realized their common past. Their faces were tired from all the mental pressure and now they were breathing heavily, sitting near the locked door of Darth’s room. Everything started to get connected on Monica’s mind and she hugged the dragon crying from both sadness and happiness
“Thank you, thank you Limon, Dings for everything… I don’t… I can’t’ find the words…” and she cried louder.
“It is ok Monica, you can calm down now. But it is strange; that small child from that time would return back as a princess and her sister would become the new Priestess. I must admit that fate can play really dirty to all of us.” And with his wing he covered her body like “hugging” her.
“So what can we do now?” she asked both of them
“We can only wait for our friends to return and hope for the right decisions that they will have to make” Limon answered and Dings turned to the other side of the corridor seeing Elder Fin looking at them with a worried expression.
“Darth… I have finally reached you” and I looked at the tree of thorns which had almost covered completely his body.
“You saw everything…” he said with weak voice while the thorns tightened more and more on his body.
“That was the story you wanted to tell me all this time?” and I tried pulling the thorns from his body but it was impossible. Only with my powers as a Priestess I would be able to free him but that would also means that my time in here would be shorten quickly.
“Five hundred years, I have been waiting for you all this time. I realized that you were the child from that time when I saw your eyes. I would never forget that color”
“Come back with me Darth, please we can find out a solution to this together! Together with everyone!”
“Don’t you see Lily? Every time you are with me you are suffering more and more! Eventually I will destroy you too! Exactly like that time!”
“This is my choice and I have already told you that I would save you!” and I started to pull the thorns making my hands bleed. I ignored the pain and I climbed that strange tree, and I finally found him inside the tree’s trunk; he was covered with thorns and his face was completely distorted by the pain and the sadness he had been carrying all these years. He lifted his head and looked at me. I tried to touch his face but I could barely reach him.
“Let me go Lily, its painful being close to you…”
“For me it’s more painful when you are not by my side! Why Darth? Why are you denying the good times too? Everything we have been through with everyone, are you going to abandon us so easily?” and the brunches of this monstrous tree threw me back and I fell on the ground. I summoned Menfor’s fire sword on my hands and I started to cut the thorn brunches, burning them at the same time
“Wake up Darth! I will take you back with me! You can’t remain here forever! You loved her didn’t you? Do you think that she would like you to die like this? She put that curse on you in order to teach you about the value of life, she sealed your powers making sure that you find one day a new purpose on your life, away from the killing and the battlefield!” And when I finally made my way through the thorns I found him looking at me with his eyes wide open from surprise. I was breathing fast exhausted from cutting all of the thorns, until I realized that my body had started to fade away, while Bener and Clomin were warning me that I had to return back immediately.
“Darth… come back to me…” and I felt my body falling back, back into the darkness. I heard him shouting my name and his hands grabbed me, holding me tightly. I held him tightly too and shouted the spell of return and both of us became one with the light.
Limon and Dings felt Darth’s presence again and the room’s door exploded, as the shining light got out from the room. All of them entered the room and found Lily and Darth hugging each other, crying out loud. Lily’s hands were bleeding and Darth licked them with love and compassion making them heal faster. He turned to the others and everyone hugged each other, uniting their spirits and Hearts again. Fin saw them from the door together and looked at Lily. How could she still smiling while at the same time she had to make the worst decision of her life?
When everything had finally been settled and Darth fell asleep after the medical care he had been provided, Dings and Limon left together with Elemor in order to organize the training of the rebel’s troops, while Lily together with Fin were discussing at the central Hall back at the First Mountain. Monica was at the Library, trying to find a way in order to break Darth’s spell, and together with him help Limon and Dings. She tried to move through the many books which had been thrown on the ground or they were placed on stacks near the walls but she tripped and fell on one of them burying herself under the books.
“Damn it! That’s great…” and she began gathering the books and the fallen notes, until she noticed a small notebook that had Fin’s name on it. She took it on her hands and sat on the chair besides her opening it with curiosity, reading the notes inside it.
Selemir Record number 50
Apparently the translation on this part is difficult due to the long time they have been used. But the most important parts are still readable. It seems that there are more conditions in order the ritual of the coronation of the New Priestess to be complete.
Firstly, it requires the One to gather the powers of the Four Gods (Lily has already done that).
Secondly, a blessing from the Mother Ebu tree is important in order for the Priestess to use freely the powers of time and space, if is needed.
The third requirement seems interesting: the Chosen must enter the Altar of the Four Gods and merge with them and become a full-fledged Priestess. But she must deny her own existence and forget everything about her past life; her memories will be deleted and her only thought will be the mission of the protection of Denmor, which is followed by the teachings of the Four Gods.\
Selemir Record number 60
The Phoenix of the Four Winds
The Mermaid of Sorrow
The Flute of the Time Flower
The Fire Sword
Each one of them holds the greatest power of the Gods, but when they are united they can even create new life and restore the balance on the Land.
Selemir Record number 63
The remaining phrase is the follow:
“The powers of the Previous Priestess disappears when her heir is born”
Perhaps this part has something to do with the spells the previous Priestess had cast. If Lily becomes the next Priestess then Lady Freya’s spells will be broken.
Monica got out of the library and headed to the Ebu tree; she teleported and went to the Third Mountain, holding the notebook she had found tightly. She pushed violently the door of Fin’s room and entered his chamber shouting:
“What’s the meaning of this?” she said and threw the notebook on the table.
“Monica calm down, please…” Lily said with calm voice and instructed her to fit next to her.
“As you can see Lady Monica, these are the detailed steps into completing the ritual of the Coronation. The only thing that remains is for Lady Lily to enter the Altar of the Four Gods and merge with them.”
“And then forget everything about us? About her family and her sister? Everything we have been through?” and then she turned to Lily “Why don’t you deny everything Lily?”
“Elder Fin, could you please leave us alone for a moment?” Lily asked with calm voice and Fin left the room leaving the two of them alone.
Monica sat at the opposite side of the table and tried to explain what on earth was happening on her sister’s mind.
“Monica, let me speak and don’t answer until I am finished. Can you do that?”
“I will try.”
And taking a deep breath she began.
“Freya, the previous Priestess, was accused from Nevol for the assassination of the Darvil King Ruben. He tricked Darth saying that she betrayed him and he too thought that he was betrayed. Nevol took the chance to kill them both but she instead died, protecting Darth. Before she dies she placed a curse upon him, sealing his magical powers, making him unable to save himself and lose his Heart Stone. Limon and Dings are the ones who saved him, providing him with a part of their magical powers. But Monica, they will not be able to continue like this anymore. At some time Limon and Dings will literally turn into a dog and a dragon for the rest of their lives! And Darth will no longer have someone helping him with his magic. On the other hand the red moon works only as a boost for the three of them but that’s all.
That’s why when I complete the Coronation his curse will be broken and the others will return back to their true forms. Then Darth will be able to use the Willpower Spell and gain enough lifeforce in order to survive by himself. All this… I have known everything since the time we were on Lady Permer’s mansion.”
“What? And you never said anything? But with what price will you acquire this power Lily? Your memories and your existence?” Monica said, crying out loud “are you going to leave me alone? You promised me that we would never abandon each other!”
Lily “saw” the sadness on Monica’s Heart Stone and slowly she stood up and went to her. She placed her hands on her shoulders and touched her head whispering softly on her:
“I would never abandon you silly. You are not alone anymore; look around you, look at the friends we made, the adventures we had, the people we fell in love with…” and she closed her eyes, trying to hold her tears
“But you will forget! You will even standing in front of me but I will be nothing more but a stranger to you!”
“I am sorry Monica… I can’t be selfish either. There is a whole world waiting for my help. For me is more painful…” and together they cried, hugged tightly as if they would never see each other again.
Dings and Limon were walking together with Lily, following an underground tunnel which was leading to the small valley in the gap between the Three Mountains. There the Rebels spent many years building the new Altar in order for the ritual to be complete. The Altar was built on an artificial lake, representing the crystal floor, with four big columns, which were creating a perfect square, inside the lake. Each one of the columns had the mark of every God and the whole lake was surrounded by a marble giant round wall and a glassy dome on the top. There was only one entrance for the Altar and that’s where Lily, Dings and Limon were standing now together with Elemor and Elder Fin.
“It is almost midnight my Lady. When your tattoo touches the gates, they will open and you will be able to enter” Fin said explaining the process.
Dings rubbed her legs with his fur and Lily took him on his arms patting his head
“Even if you forget we will always remember” he whispered and she kissed his head
“Thank you Dings…” and left the puppy on the ground
“Limon…” and she touched the dragon’s face, feeling his hard scales “take good care of her. She is my only family” she said with trembling voice
“I swear to you Lily, I will protect her with my life for ever” and she hugged the dragon’s neck. “What about…”
“Let him rest Limon; I would be really hard for me to face him now. I don’t know if I have the power even to listen to his voice.”
“Lily!!” Monica’s voice came from behind. She was running to them and she hugged her sister ignoring everyone around them
“Do you want me to say anything to him? He will be mad with you of course.” She whispered to Lily’s ear.
Instead of answering Lily took Monica’s palm and with her finger she “wrote” her answer on the Braille language.
“I understand.” Monica said and Lily with a smile started to walk towards the gate.
Before she touches the gate she turned to Elemor and smiling she said that his Heart Light was brighter than any other time
“That’s because you saved me many times Lady Lily! And I hope that you will save the same way Darthorian one day!”
Lily smiled sadly and touched the marble gate. The doors opened slowly and she walked inside, leaving everyone behind her. They watched her disappearing as the doors closed again with a thud, indicating the end of her existence.
I am standing inside the Altar now. It is surprisingly quiet and I can hear only the soft sound of the water. I hold my ribbon on my left hand and I can hear the voices of the Gods. Their presences are close to me and, although I can’t see them, they are looking at me with a worried expression
“Lily, are you regretting this?” Azure said and I felt a soft warm breeze on my shoulder
“There is still time if you want to turn back” Menfor said while Bener and Clomin were taking my clothes off.
“I will never regret my decision; neither abandon the task I was chosen for. Please guide me to the path I have chosen and give me your power and wisdom.”
“Then you are ready my child” Clomin said with calm voice and, together with Bener, they guided me to the center of the Altar.
“Now, throw your Heart weapon and let us become one with you” Bener said and I threw my ribbon to the air. I could fell the string flying around my body, creating a perfect circle, while from four different sides the powers of the Gods were becoming stronger and stronger. I opened my arms, as if I was ready to hug them, and I surrendered myself to their warm feeling. Only his name I repeated again and again on my mind while everything else were disappearing
“Darth…”
Chapter 26: The Mechanism of Destruction and the amber lily
Nevol felt the tremors shaking the whole Palace. He ran to the big veranda and he looked at the sky. A new star had been born; it was the biggest of them all and it was shining right above Selemir.
“So she has been born… the new Priestess.” He said smiling and he headed to the underground dungeons of the Palace. He opened the heavy gates and entered the research faculty. In front of him there was standing a giant machine, with onyx columns stabbed on the ground and a throne on the middle of it, which had slowly started to operate, and all the workers around him were running around, in order to prepare for the first operation of this horrible machine.
“How are the preparations going?” he asked one of the workers
“The sealing spell of the previous Priestess has been broken and finally we can operate your Majesty”
Nevol looked at the machine and laughed with pleasure and evilness
“Finaly!” he shouted “Denmor is mine!”
He left the research faculty and headed to the prisoners dungeons. The guard opened the door for him and he went inside.
“Nagia…” he said and the chained woman woke up from her slumber and looked at Nevol with desire
“My beloved King! You finally came! Give me another chance; I am sure I will succeed!” and she moved towards him trying to touch him, but the chains were preventing her even from moving.
“I will give you the most important mission, when the time comes and the final battle will be held in here” and he touched her face, eager to exploit her for one last time.
“Darth… Darth…”
I could hear her calling me, but her voice was becoming weaker and weaker like she was drawing further and further from me, disappearing from my sight. I felt a strong earthquake and I wondered how an earthquake could be so strong on a dream. I opened my eyes and I sat on the bed; no the earthquake was real! I ran outside and then I saw a giant pillar of light coming from the small valley between the Three Mountains. Suddenly I felt stronger, like my magic powers had returned to me, and I looked at myself; my hands were bigger, so was my height. I looked at the light again and the idea crossed my mind.
“No she couldn’t have…” and I started to run with all my strength.
The earthquake made them lose their balance and move awkwardly from side to side. Monica saw Limon and Dings transforming back into their original forms and she turned to the Altar. The glassy dome had been smashed to pieces and soon the marble walls would too been destroyed. Limon grabbed her and held her close to him protecting her from the falling wall parts.
“Everyone step back quickly!” Elemor shouted and they moved back.
The earthquake stopped and they heard Darth’s voices coming from behind
“Limon, Dings you… where is Lily?” he asked with impatience.
“Darth… she… went to the Altar…” Monica began.
“What Altar?” and Monica pointed to him the artificial lake.
On the water’s surface and on the center of the four columns was now standing a white dressed girl. Her hair was long and was also falling in front of her shoulders but her head was now covered with a white hood, covering her face just a little above her nose. The valley now was crowded by all the Northern Rebels, who came to pay their respects to the newborn Priestess. She then started to walk back to the ground, moving slowly and gracefully. When her foot touched the ground the grass disappeared and it was replaced by flowers. They were lilies, which instead of white, were made of amber. Monica took one of her flowers on her hand and looked at it closely.
“It’s a lily. But it is made from amber?” she said looking at the shining color, as if it was made of glass.
“Lily? She has the name of a flower?” Limon asked her while he was looking at Darth at the same time.
“Our mother’s favorite flower…”
Everyone then bowed in front of the Priestess and she raised her left hand saying with loud and clear voice:
“Children on Denmor, we shall protect our precious home everyone together united. Do not care about races or power but become one under the guidance of the Four Gods and fight for your home!”
Everyone then shouted with excitement, full of confidence and hope for the coming days. The Priestess then walked towards Monica and bowed before her, leaving her speechless.
“I hereby offer you my greetings Princess of the Aimilians. If you ever request my help or my guidance I will listen to your words.”
“Li… I mean… thank you for your words Lady Priestess. My name is Monica and these are my friends and companions: Limon Dings and… Darth” and she introduced them to her. They bowed and they stepped back, except from Darth; he remained still, looking at her with eyes full of complaint, until she passed right next to him and disappeared inside the crowd as everyone were rushing to greet her and welcome her.
“Darth she has a message for you… she told me that before she enters the Altar”
“What kind of message?”
“ “Don’t forget”. That’s what she told me.” And Monica completely fatigued leaned to Limon’s side and he held her softly taking her to her room.
“What does that mean Darth?” Dings asked puzzled.
But Darth’s mind was traveling to that time when the two of them were standing in front of the sunrise looking at the colors of the new day, while she had promised that she would save him.
“Why didn’t I understand at that time, Dings, why?”
“No one did. Not even Monica” he tried to comfort him.
But what was scaring Darth the most was the fact that although she was next to him, the necklace with the silver butterfly on his neck didn’t become warmer.
The next days passed with military preparations and many types of council in which they tried to test all possible attack plans in order to conquer the Royal Palace at Selemir. At the same time Elder Fin together with Monica and Mimi were able to complete the translations of the blueprints that Darth had given to him from Marciant’s mansion revealing something unexpected.
“This is a drawing of a type of machine” Fin said to all the leaders of the Rebels at the council they were holding under the Priestess’s presence. Together with Elemor Limon, Dings and Darth were watching Fin explaining the purpose of the machine, while Monica was waiting outside the council room.
“This machine was built at the time of King Amberfoth the Second. He requested a weapon that could use the Priestess’s powers as a power source and destroy the Darvil Army in one blow, but the previous Priestess sealed it under the Palace, ending the project. It is called “The Mechanism of Destruction”. But in these blueprints there have been some changes into the power source and the acceptor. King Nevol is trying to absorb the powers of the Priestess and use himself as the new power source in order to wipe out the whole Denmor!” and after his words everyone began discussing loudly, fearing for their lives and the fate of their land.
“Calm down, please!” the Priestess moved her hand and everyone stopped talking “Elder Fin, are you certain about this weapon’s identity and purpose?”
“I have triple checked my notes together with my assistant and thanks Lady Monica’s help we organized them from the beginning.”
“Thank you for your explanation Elder Fin. Now leaders of the Northern Rebels we shall continue our preparations for the upcoming battle and when I decide that everything is ready we will begin our journey to the Holy Capital. I have only one request: be merciful and don’t kill anyone out of hatred or enjoyment. Those with such evil thoughts will be banned immediately from the army troops! Understood?”
“YES!” And everyone stood up and bowed as the Priestess ended tonight’s council.
Monica was waiting outside observing her right arm. Since Limon had returned to his original form the bow he had entrusted her with, the “Bloody Tears”, had disappeared from her arm. If she hadn’t a weapon she wouldn’t be able to join the attack forces and travel together with everyone. On the other hand the Priestess taught her many new spells that only the Royal family could use. She warned her to use them only when the conditions demanded it and since then Monica has been repeating the words, trying to memorize them. She heard the doors opening and she stood up when she saw the Priestess coming out. She wished her a good night, while passing near her, and left to her chamber which was located at the top of the First Mountain.
“Monica! Don’t tell me you waited this long!” she heard Dings behind her and she turned.
“A little, but it’s alright. I heard that you will be leaving?”
“Yes I will travel with Ebu branches in order to gather more allies.”
“Be careful on your trip.” And she hugged him.
When Dings left, she saw Limon coming out from the room and went to him.
“I wanted to talk to you Limon”
“To me? Why?” and he took her away from the men who were coming out from the room
When they were left alone Monica looked at Limon’s violet eyes and said with confidence:
“I want a weapon”
Limon was left speechless for a moment and then laughed loudly
“Ok let’s go to the next topic”
“Don’t laugh with me Limon! I want to fight! Please give me a weapon, anything that will allow me to come…”
“I said no!” he said with loud, angry voice and hid his face with his hand “I will not take you to the battlefield Monica. I will not put you in that danger”
Monica leaned her head on his chest and he touched her hair
“Please Limon; I want to be with her! I have a bad feeling about this battle and I can’t stand the thought that something will happen to her and I will be unable to help her! So please… I beg you…”
“I promised Lily that I will protect you”
“You better will!” and she smiled.
Limon took her from her hand and they headed to the weapon smith. There they found all kinds of weapons but Monica chose a longbow, smaller than Limon’s, with silver edges, decorated with raspberry quartz and arrows made of citrine. They headed back to the First Mountain walking slowly while Monica was holding her bow tightly.
“When all this is over, you will go on a date with me.”
“Don’t be so bold with your decisions Limon! She said embarrassed
“Don’t blush so easily. You will make kiss you”
“Stupid”
“Tulip face”
“Leech”
“I love you” he said with calm voice looking at her wide open eyes and leaned his head kissing her on her lips and Monica’s bow fell from her hands.
Darth knocked twice before entering the Priestess’s chamber. He opened the door slightly and then he went in. The room was big and wide open with an opening on the left, leading to a spectacular view of the other two Mountains. The Priestess was sitting on a couch singing with soft voice a lullaby for the golden butterflies which were flying above her head. The butterflies flew around her veranda and then they disappeared to the sky, indicating the birth of the next generation.
“Come in Lord Darth” she said after the butterflies disappeared.
“I didn’t mean to intrude” he said and walked slowly to the big balcony
“I heard you knocking” and she smiled briefly “So what did you bring? It smells beautiful”
“Tea with flavors from the spice of the northern Islands, fruit cakes, made from the east shores and… chocolate crepes”; everything were Lily’s favorite foods and drinks. He had made his mind; he would try to make her remember again. And so he poured some tea and offered it to her. She slowly touched the cup’s edge and brought it on her lips.
“It’s really nice, and the flavors are excellent. Thank you Lord Darth” and she placed the cup on the small table in front of her.
Darth offered her some of the cakes and crepes but for some reason she didn’t react. He sat on the other chair and he looked at her; the hood was really giving him on the nerves, he wanted to take it off from her. It was as if her true form was hiding behind that. “True form?” he thought.
“My Lady, if I am not wasting your time, would you mind listen to a story?”
“A story?” she said with interest
“It is called “Beauty and the Beast” and it speaks for the true self everyone has inside.” And he closed his eyes and began retelling the story on the exact way Lily had told him at that time, when she found out about his hard and dark fate, as the two of them were leaning to each other on the tree’s trunk, unaware about fate’s plans. He remembered the sound of the leaves, the water of the pond shining like a mirror at night and her beautiful long hair touching his shoulder as she was telling him that story.
When he finished and opened his eyes again, he felt the necklace on his neck becoming warm, just for a second. He looked at the Priestess. Under her hood and on her cheeks tears were flowing and that made her mystify
“That’s strange” she said “Why am I crying?” and she wiped her tears from her face
“Lily?”
“Who’s Lily?” she asked puzzled.
Darth’s necklace became cold again but for one moment he was definitely certain; his voice had reached her. He stood up, gathered the disc and headed to the room’s door.
“I wish you a good night’s sleep my Lady”
“Thank you Lord Darth… for everything” she answered when she heard the door closing.
She leaned her head on the soft pillows and tried to sleep; a voice started to appear on her mind saying again and again:
“Wake up… wake up…”
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