Chapter 786: The Dark (Patreon)

Slowly, Titania opened her eyes. A pair of scarlet eyes that burned of fire gazed back at her from the darkness. Titania shut her eyes tightly and whimpered in silence as fear choked her.

“I told you,” the voice whispered in a silky rasp. “You are alone.”

For once, the voice was right. Titania had no friends, not within the castle or outside. Naomi, her one true friend, must have known why they were traveling across the desert. She had known Titania was nothing more than merchandise to be sold and sacrificed. Yet she smiled at Titania just the same and assured her everything was going to be okay. What a lie that had been and what a fool Titania had been to believe her. Naomi had never been her friend.

At least, Lena had been kind. The caravan leader had given her food, clothes, and shelter. And she had died trying to protect Titania and the rest of the caravan from the demon the rulus had named demon.

Then there was Stryg. A man who had come to kill her and everyone in their caravan. He had made her believe she was special, that she wasn’t a lost cause, that he cared about her. He had promised he would never leave her in the dark. And she had believed him. It was all lies. The truth was singular. She was alone.

“Come morning, they are going to kill you,” whispered the voice.

Titania trembled and curled into a ball to make herself as small as possible. She wanted to scream at the monster, at the thing that had plagued the dark corners of her life for as long as she could remember. But fear choked her whenever she met its eyes. Somehow, she knew it could see into her, at every crack in her soul; her weaknesses, her desires, her hopes and dreams. It was all laid bare in front of the entity. It fed off her fear and enjoyed the way she squirmed in terror in its presence.

She could feel its breath atop her, hot and cold on her skin. She dared not open her eyes for she knew if she did, it would be there, waiting.

“They will sacrifice you. No one will mourn you,” the voice mocked.

“Leave me alone,” Titania whimpered.

“You will die as you lived, insignificant.”

Titania buried her face in the cold stone as tears burned down her cheeks. She didn’t want to die. Not in the dark. Alone. Forgotten.

“…I can save you,” the voice said, its tone suddenly sickly sweet.

A spark of hope entered Titania’s heart, but she did not look up. The voice had never offered help before. Why change now? Everyone in her life had betrayed and lied to her. Why should she trust the source of her nightmares?

As if it had read her mind, the voice answered. “I can save you from this place. From those that hurt and betrayed you. I can make sure you will never be hurt again by anyone.”

Why? Why did it want to help her?

“Do you want out of this cage?” it asked, its raspy voice had transformed a deep rumble that shook the ground itself. It was otherworldly yet so familiar all the same.

“Yes,” Titania whispered.

“I can make it so. All you have to do… is let me in.”

A shiver ran through her body as she felt the entity’s presence surround her, seeking a way into her soul. It was as if she had fallen deep under the sea, the pressure was suffocating. 

She was scared. Titania tried to breathe but could not muster the strength.

“Weak, small Titania,” the voice rumbled. “Always so scared. I can save you from your fear and your enemies. All you have to do is LET ME IN.”

The voice roared all around. She was a leaf in the midst of a storm, lost amidst the gales and thunder.

“Leave the child alone,” spoke another voice, feminine and regal. A silver light suffused the pit and swirled around Titania, shielding her from the storm.

The dark entity growled. “The dragon hatchling is mine.”

“No. She is a child of this world and I claim her as mine,” said the second voice.

“How long can you protect her? I can feel it even now, your power is diminishing. Soon, you will not be able to keep me out, Aleirune.”

“But it will not be this night. Be gone!” Aleirune’s voice flared with power and the dark entity roared angrily, a volcano of wrath erupting all around Titania, before it was suddenly silenced.

Titania opened her eyes hesitantly. The silver light was filled with motes of warm gold that floated slowly around her like a tame whirlpool’s current. Fear clutched at her heart, but it was no longer overpowering.

“Do not fear, Titania. Rest. None will hurt you on this night.” Her voice was soft, soothing to the soul. 

“Why?” Titania whispered even as she felt herself slipping away into a dream. “Why help me?” The question echoed in her mind. Why help a worthless, talentless, little kid like her? Even her own parents did not want her. She had nothing to offer this world, her mother had made that clear. So why would anyone care to help someone like her?

Aleirune did not answer, save for four simple words. “You are not alone.”

Sleep took Titania and she knew no more.

~~~

“So, what’s the plan? We sneak in?” Stryg said.

“Sounds like a bad idea, but I don’t really have any others,” Gale said.

“And how are we supposed to sneak into the most fortified castle in the city?” Tauri crossed her arms.

“I can help with that,” whispered Evander in a hoarse voice from his bed.

The three of them turned to Evander simultaneously, but it was Stryg who leaped across the bedroom in a flash, sword in hand. Evander didn’t have a chance to flinch before Stryg was upon him, blade at his throat. 

“Who are you and why are you alive?” Stryg asked in a chilling voice.

Evander stared wide-eyed at the scarlet blade pointed at him, then glanced at Gale and Tauri, who made no move to stop the blue stranger. “I-I-I…” He swallowed hard. “I’m Evander.”

“Evander, if you do not answer my questions truthfully, I will kill you. Understood?”

“Yes, m’lord.” Evander nodded. “Can I sit up at least or…?”

Stryg gave a nod and took a step back.

“Thanks.” With a grimace, Evander sat up and exhaled deeply. “I feel like I was run over by a herd of camels.”

Stryg channeled purple and conjured several strings of violet light around his fingertips. Evander watched somewhat nervously as the string floated to him.

“W-What is that?” Evander asked.

“A mind spell. It’ll allow me to tell when you’re lying. Usually, such a thing is frowned upon in my society and is reserved for criminals. But seeing as you might have lied about everything you’ve said to my companions and are potentially a spy that needs to be put down, I think a bit of mind magic is prudent. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Um. Yes?”

“Good.” Stryg directed the strings of light around Evander’s temple. They sparked as they touched his pale skin before sputtering out of existence. Stryg frowned.

“Is it working?” Evander asked, unable to see what had happened.

“No. It didn’t. I don’t think mind spells work on you…” Stryg said.

“He’s like you?” Tauri asked.

Evander looked at Stryg curiously. “Are you an elf from the Ebon Realm?” He furrowed his brow as he tried to recall the terminology. “A—dark elf?”

Stryg ignored his question and glanced at Tauri. “No. He’s not a titan, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

“Well, what else is immune to mind magic?” Tauri asked.

“I don’t know. There are many manners of creatures we have to encounter across the Null Realms. The question is, what kind are you? Do not lie. Just because I cannot use a mind spell on you does not mean I cannot tell when you’re lying,” Stryg said.

“I have no intention of lying to a man who is quite literally holding a sword at my neck,” Evander gave a light smile, hoping to diffuse the situation. “I’m a snow elf. I was born in the Ivory Realm, but I came to live in the Aurous Realm as a child.” Evander looked at Gale for support of his words, but she remained stoically silent.

“I don’t know any snow elf that can survive having his throat torn out,” Stryg said.

“What?” Evander’s hands carefully ran across his neck, only to find bloodied bandages. “...What happened? Wait, I—” Evander’s eyes widened as the memories came flooding back in. “Dear gods, he actually ripped out my throat. With his teeth!?”

Stryg searched for any sign of trickery or falsehoods, but the young man standing in front of him seemed genuinely panicked and afraid of what had happened.

“My brother is ruthless,” Stryg finally said.

“That was your brother? Wait, who are you exactly?” 

“I am Stryg, son of the Moon and Stars.”

“You’re… Stryg?” Evander looked him up and down, then nodded to himself. “Wow, I get why she likes you.”

Stryg cocked an eyebrow. “How did you manage to survive your wounds?”

“I honestly don’t know,” Evander admitted. “I was hung a few weeks back. My neck broke, but I survived. Somehow. No one else did. I still don’t have an answer. All I can assume is that the Owls did not want me dead for a reason, I think. No, I have to believe it’s for a reason.”

“And what reason would that be?” Stryg asked.

Evander looked him in the eyes, the fear and his easygoing smile were gone. “Vengeance.”

“Against whom?”

“House Greymark. They murdered my sister and my crew.”

“Okay.” Stryg sheathed his sword. “Look, honestly, I’m not interested in your quest for revenge. All I want to know is two things. First of all, you're clearly dangerous, but are you a danger to me or mine?”

“I would never hurt any of you,” Evander said, his eyes falling upon Gale.

Stryg noticed the look. “Right… Secondly, you said you could help sneak into the Clarus’ castle. Is that true?”

“Yeah, I can, with a little help,” Evander nodded.

“Good. How much did you catch of our conversation earlier?” Stryg asked.

“Not much, really. But if you need help getting into the castle, I know a way.”

“Explain.”

“How do you sneak into a castle that is so heavily fortified with guards and magic that no one could ever hope to sneak into?” Evander asked, falling into his habitual performative voice. When no one replied, he continued. “The answer is you don’t.”

“Is he an idiot?” Stryg glanced at Tauri.

“No, he’s a bard,” Tauri said.

“There is only one way into the Clarus’ castle and that’s by walking right in through the front gate. And that’s what we’re going to do.” 

“No, he’s an idiot,” Stryg said.

Evander winked, “The catch is they won’t know it’s us.”

“...I’m listening.” Stryg crossed his arms.

“House Greymark are loyal servants of the Clarus family. They often meet within the castle for one reason or another. All we have to do is slip alongside the Greymark soldiers when they go meet with the Claruses.”

“And how are we supposed to do that? Wouldn’t the real Greymark soldiers notice us?” Stryg asked.

“This wouldn’t have anything to do with the fact that you hold a vendetta against the Greymarks?” Tauri added.

“In fact, it very much does. You see, the Greymark’s home is well-fortified, but not impossible to get into. I know, I’ve done it before. If we can manage to capture a Greymark noble, you can use your mind magic stuff to, y’know,” Evander wiggled his fingers. “Make them compliant. At which point, they will help us get into the Clarus’ castle in the guise of soldiers.”

“That’s not how purple magic works, but the plan seems feasible enough,” Stryg acknowledged. “Any plan on how we are supposed to get into the Greymark’s home?”

“My crew and I just so happen to have recently snuck into the Greymark’s home. I know the blueprints of their mansion like the back of my hand. Of course, the guard patterns have most likely changed since that time. But I know an information broker who can help us with that,” Evander said.

“How convenient for you,” Tauri said. “You help us sneak into the castle by making us get revenge on your enemies.”

“That was our deal from the beginning, wasn’t it? I help you get to Olduun, you help me with my revenge. I don’t see why we can’t sneak into a castle and kill a few people along the way,” Evander said.

Tauri sighed. “Fair enough. When do we start?”

“Now.” Stryg marched over to the door and walked out. Gale fell in behind him.

“My, they're driven, aren’t they?” Evander chuckled awkwardly.

“You get used to it,” Tauri said.