Curse of the Oak

Chapter Twenty-Four

Spectrums of color from the darkest violet to deepest of red glowed all around her. Various tents and waves of gold shined from above as Des laid motionless in a sea of silver petals. Her body was no longer broken and bruised from the life before.

There was no pain.

No memories to haunt her.

Not a sting of regret from her past blemished her new and polished body. A temple for her to use as a beacon of light.

Des jolted up. Her breath gasping for air as her hand touched the wound of where a darkened blade once pierced her body. There wasn't a cool tingle of metallic to scrape across her finger tips. She glanced down finding no trace of a sword protruding though. There was no sign of the sword, nor any evidence of her scarlet blood.

Feeling relieved, Des peered around seeing all the radiant glows. The alluring rays inviting her into a new realm of life. A place bursting with hope and freedom she has longed for since she was a child. Leaving the past and its burdens behind her.

Suddenly a soft and faint light sparkled in the distance. The glimmer captivated Desiree's attention, drawing her closer to the blaze.

Getting off the ground, she stumbled to the light. Her body acting as a newborn fawn.

Upon reaching the unknown glimmer, she discovered it to be a small candle. The flame danced in the air, telling a story of what is to come. A story filled with adventure, love, and sacrifice.

Des picked up the small flame, acknowledging the story being told before her.

The light represented the trials of what was to come. It ignited the courage and bravery she need to bring back with her. For her tale was far from over.

Des held the torch of hope, vanquishing darkness with a single gleam that shined within it.

—

Des fluttered open her eyes, immediately blinded a light from above. She flickered them again as the dark specks disappeared and revealed a cream stippled ceiling above. Des gazed around seeing the same view all around her.

A shadow caught the corner of her eye. She followed and saw a figure on the left. She saw long threads of honey suckled hair, draped to the floor. There were gorgeous red roses braided within the curls.

She saw the woman wearing white silk robes, with sparkled material threaded within, captivating a shine of the stars during the night. As the woman turned to face her, Des saw the smooth marble white skin, composed of no blemishes or scars. And more importantly it glowed. The woman smiled as Des followed the curves twisting at her lips to finally seeing the prick of her pointed ears. The angelic view lightened like a lamp in Desiree's hearts. Her emotions seem to become calmer as her mind went into a tranquil state.

"Hello, young one," the she-elf said, her voice like a soft and gentle hymn. "How are you feeling?"

Des stammered for words, but her voice was hoarse. The elf seemed to notice and immediately reached for a glass of water. Des took small sips gratefully, letting the cool liquid quench her thirst.

Pulling it back the elf smiled. "Better?" she asked.

Des nodded. "Where am I?" Des rasped, her voice small and quiet.

"You are in the Sanctuary of the Light Elves dear child. My name is Galena," the elf replied.

Des thought the elf's name was beautiful, reflecting the soul within the elf. Then her mind immediately drifted to her friends, sparking her concern. "The others," Des croaked out, widening her eyes. "Are they oka-"