Magic in the Mist

Chapter Five

     Sunlight streamed through a crack in the roof and into Hazel's eyes. She groaned, turning over and covering her face.

'Hazel!' someone said from above her. 'Hazel, wake up!'

'Just five more minutes. . .' Hazel murmured.

'Hazel, get up!'

'Fine. . . I'm awake, I'm awake.' Hazel said, opening her eyes to see Thalia, a stable worker, standing above her.

'Come on, hurry.' Thalia said, grabbing Hazel and leading her out of the stables, which were strangely empty.

As they walked out, Hazel could sense a dread and coldness wash over her, even though it was sunny out. Thalia ran inside Queen Raya's castle, which resembled the white house more than a castle, and ran her to where the queen stood in the middle of the room, talking to another elf. When she saw them, Queen Raya rushed over, nodding to Thalia.

'Thank you for getting her,' Queen Raya said.

'Of course, my queen.' Thalia said, dipping her head respectfully to the queen. She then turned to Hazel, worry in her eyes. 'Be careful.' she said, squeezing Hazel's hands before turning and walking away briskly. Hazel hadn't noticed it before, but Thalia's pearly white hair stood out against her dark clothes and skin.

For a moment, Hazel thought she wouldn't see Thalia again, but she shook her head.

Everything will be fine, Hazel reassured herself.

'Follow me,' Queen Raya said, walking quickly out of the castle.

She threw the doors open, looking out into the empty town. Suddenly the sunlight faded as clouds the shape of an outstretched hand reaching towards them covered the sun.

'What the. . .' Hazel started, but Queen Raya interrupted her.

'It's called the Tempestes.' she explained. 'Dark magic. It drains the life out of everything it touches to the point of death.'

As she spoke, dark mist began to swirl around the town, creeping around the buildings until it reached the statue of Queen Raya, climbing up the stone which now looked cold and hard. Queen Raya glared at the mist, opening a hand. Silver magic flowed out, creating a small ball of magic, glowing as it grew stronger. Queen Raya brought her other hand on top of the ball then brought it back. The magic ball widened until it stretched over the castle.

Queen Raya held her hands out in front of her as the dark mist came in contact with the force field, hissing like water hitting fire and retracting from the dome. As more mist hissed against the force field, beads of sweat ran down Queen Raya's face.

'Can't—hold—' Queen Raya grunted, her face twisting in effort.

'Thalia!' Hazel called into the castle, using the first name that came to mind.

Thalia raced out immediately, riding Orian.

'What?' she said, her gaze flitting to the Tempestes hissing against the force field.

'Queen Raya can't hold it for much longer,' Hazel explained.

Thalia turned to Queen Raya, who was struggling to keep the force field, which was flickering. A wisp of dark mist got through the force field, and before Hazel could move, it wrapped itself around her ankle, and Hazel buckled and fell. The dark mist sucked the energy out of Hazel, making her feel terribly sick.

'Hazel!' Thalia cried, dismounting Orian and helping her up. 'Are you okay?' she asked, fear shining in her bright blue eyes.

'Y-yeah. I'm fine.' Hazel replied, getting to her feet.

'Good,' Thalia said, hugging her tightly before turning back to Queen Raya, who was losing more of her strength.

The force field flickered once more, and more dark mist jumped out at Orian. The pegasus reared, backing up from the dark magic as it seeped into the ground.

'Queen Raya, the force field is falling!' Thalia called to where the queen was standing, sweat running down her face.

'I can't—' Queen Raya started, but before she could finish, she fell to the ground, and the force field broke.

'Run.' Thalia said shortly to Hazel before racing to Queen Raya, picking her up and throwing her on Orian's back. 'Get her to Zozam,' Thalia said to him. Orian raced into the building, followed by Thalia and Hazel, the dark magic flowing steadily behind them.

When they burst through the castle, Thalia closed the doors, stepping back as the mist seeped through the crack in the bottom of the door.

'What do we do?' Hazel asked, turning to Thalia.

'The queen has never fainted while doing a force field,' Thalia said, her voice quiet.

The dark mist seeped further into the castle as doors flung open, Elves streaming endlessly out of them, the mist following behind the elven citizens.

'What do we do?' an elf asked, holding an infant as dark mist circled them.

Hazel somehow knew that she had to help these people; if she didn't, she and so many others would die to the hands of the dark magic. Hazel opened one hand, letting silver magic flood over her hand and form into a small sphere. The mist flowed closer, pressing the elves closer together. Hazel waited until the sphere was as big as her hand until she placed her other hand over it, and opened it, letting a silver force field flood over the people. Hazel could hear sighs of relief, but her triumph didn't last for long.

As the mist hissed against the magic force field, Hazel could feel as if the mist was covering her, clouding her senses and blocking out all outside noise. Through the pain, Hazel could hear one thing; her mother's voice calling out to her.

'Mom?' Hazel muttered, closing her eyes and trying to focus on her mother's voice.

'Hazel, dear. You've grown so much,' she said, her voice echoing all around Hazel as pain seared in her head. 'Don't let the Tempestes destroy you.' she said, her voice familiar and calm. 'Hone your powers. Control them, as if a string of electricity were running through you.'

Hazel followed her mother's words, forcing her magic into a tight stream.

'Yes! You're doing it!' her mom's voice said, happiness edging it.

'I miss you,' Hazel thought, directing her thoughts solely to her mother.

'I do, too.' her mom replied, her echoing voice sad. 'You will join me, but not today. Not now, my little firefly.'

Hazel smiled, and she could feel warm tears running down her cheeks.

'Now focus, darling. You need to save them. The island of Hista is your future.' her mom said.

'What about dad? What about Bri?'

'You will meet them again,' her mother promised. 'But not now. Now you need this land, and it needs you. Save them, firefly.' her mom's voice faded, and Hazel was thrown into reality. She opened her eyes to see the silver force field holding strong as the dark mist hissed against it. Hazel focused on her magic, even though pain was stabbing her every limb, making every moment painful. Her vision was clouded with pain, but slowly it eased. Hazel could tell the mist was fading, but she still felt exhausted. After a moment, the pain eased to a constraint throbbing, but although she couldn't feel as much pain, she felt utterly exhausted.

Hazel fell, feeling something catch her, calling out her name. But slowly the sound faded, and Hazel slipped into unconsciousness.