Magic in the Mist

Chapter Twelve

     Hazel woke with a start, sitting up in the white bed she was sleeping in. The room was empty, as Hazel was hoping. She carefully got out of the bed and looked down at her shirt to see that some of it was blood-stained.

Great, Hazel thought, but she didn't let that stop her and slipped on her boots that were by the bed, buckled her sword sheath holding her sword around her waist and slowly pushed the door open.

She took a look around to make sure no one was there, then slipped out of the room and closed the door behind her. Hazel then walked silently down a maze of halls until she finally reached the throne room, which was strangely deserted. As Hazel stepped out of the castle, she knew that it was dinner time, and that by now most elves were in their houses. Still, Hazel was careful and walked around the village as to not get caught. When she finally reached the stables, Hazel was tempted to tell Thalia about her plans, but decided against it.

Hazel circled around the back of the stables, her injured arm aching, and was lucky enough to see Orian grazing in the field behind the stables. Sighing in relief, Hazel mounted Orian and spurred him so that he flew upwards and into the sky.

As Hazel and Orian flew over the land, Hazel noticed for the first time how barren it was. Even the places around the river that ran through the island were dry, and the only plants visible were withered and dead. When they had reached Cloud Mountain, Hazel found it strange that there was some grass at the base of the mountain; it must have been protected from the Tempestes.

But soon the two were flying over the mountain range that spanned over the land, and below them, Hazel could see dark mist hovering over the ground, making its way across the mountain range.

The Tempestes, Hazel thought with a shudder, spurring Orian to get as far away from the dark magic as possible.

And as the dark mist faded out of view, Hazel swore she could see a dark figure in the center of the Tempestes as if it was controlling it. . . Hazel shook her head to clear her mind and looked down to see a spot of green grass, where she assumed WindTribe was settling. Immediately, Hazel leaned forward and urged Orian into a dive where they eventually touched down on the grass. Hazel dismounted Orian and walked forward, Orain's reins secured safely in her hands. Almost immediately, two warriors raced forward, bows in hand and aimed towards Hazel.

'I come in peace,' Hazel said, putting her hands in the air and dropping Orian's reins.

'Sword. Now.' one of the warriors said, glaring at her.

Hazel nodded, slowly taking off her sword sheath and placing it on the ground. She took a small step back, putting her hands back in the air.

'I just want to see Queen Asha and King Nox,' Hazel said calmly.

'Fine.' The warrior said, picking up Hazel's sword and gesturing to the other elf warrior, who grabbed Orian's reins as the first warrior led Hazel through the WindTribe camp.

All around her, everyone was packed up, getting all their valuables sorted and into large baskets. Hazel watched as citizens said goodbye to their cattle, most likely the last living cattle left in the land. When they finally reached the king and queen of WindTribe, Hazel bowed respectfully.

'Why have you come here? We are supposed to be leaving soon, you will slow our process down.' King Nox said, narrowing his eyes at Hazel.

'I know, but I have important things to tell you.' Hazel said hastily.

Without saying a word, she opened her hands and let silver magic flow out of her opened hands. Queen Asha looked stunned, taking a slow step forward and stretched out one hand, touching Hazel's silver magic as sage green magic sprouted from her hands. The two magics collided, making a mini explosion that slightly ruffled Hazel and Queen Asha's hair.

'What kind of magic do you have?' Queen Asha asked quietly.

'I dunno. Same as Queen Raya, I think.' Hazel said, dropping her hand.

'No, Queen Raya's magic is only protective, yours. . . I think it's more than that.' Queen Asha said, her voice soft and welcoming.

'I can help, though. I can fight the Tempestes, so you don't have to move,' Hazel said hastily.

'No, child, it's too strong I'm afraid.' Queen Asha said with a weak smile. 'I cannot ask you to risk your life for us.'

'I have too!' Hazel said defiantly. 'I keep on going on these journeys, being treated like I'm an object that is fragile and needs to be kept safe. I need to show you—I need to show everyone—that I can do this on my own.'

'If you wish,' Queen Asha said with a respectful, but hesitant nod.

Hazel bowed once more to the queen before walking away to the edge of the clearing. Orian found her, and soon the elves of WindTribe gathered around her, seeming confused on why Hazel was there and why they weren't leaving.

It was when the sun started to set when Hazel saw it. Black mist creeping its way from the mountain range and into the valley, withering the grass below it. Hazel summoned magic to her hands, putting her other hand over it to make a sphere, which she opened once more to create a large force field that stretched over the WindTribe elves' camp.

Hazel held the force field firm as the Tempestes hissed against her magic, sending sharp spikes of pain throughout her body. Hazel tried not to scream in pain as it enveloped her, numbing her of all other feeling.

Hazel could faintly feel her wound from LavaTribe's Queen, Lamaria, open and blood trickle down her arm, dripping onto the ground. Immediately she felt Queen Asha at her side, and she turned just in time to see her touch Hazel's arm. As she did, Hazel could feel her transferring the pain to the queen, who buckled and fell to the ground, unconscious.

'No!' Hazel said, falling to the ground beside her.

King Nox rushed forward as the force field faltered. Knowing Hazel had to keep it up, she quickly got to her feet and held the force field as King Nox carried Queen Asha away. Hazel turned back to the force field, feeling beads of sweat dripping down her face as pain flooded over her again. Through the pain, Hazel could see something coming from the dark mist. It looked like an elf—had someone gotten trapped outside the force field? But this figure didn't look in pain, instead it looked strong, and at ease.

'Hazel Martinez.' The figure said, its voice slightly deep and monotone, drawing out every syllable of her name.

The figure placed its hand on the force field, and Hazel felt a renewed sense of pain flooding over her as the figure's hand sizzled against her magic force field.

'Who are you?' Hazel said with difficulty as the dark mist condensed, swirling around the dark figure.

'We are the Tempestes,' the voice said, once again drawling out the words and letting them sink into Hazel's mind.

'But—the Tempestes is mist, how can. . .?' Hazel asked, furrowing her brow slightly.

'Not all of it. . .' the figure said. 'I am the wizard who created it, Hazel Martinez.'

'Stop it!' Hazel said, screwing up her eyes. 'Stop saying my name!'

'I wanted power, Hazel. And I got it. This island will soon be mine.' The figure expressed slight emotion in its voice. Hungry for power. . . needing it.

'No! I won't let you!' Hazel said, but she could feel her power draining.

'You can't stop me,' The figure said. 'Soon everything will be mine.' and then, almost as suddenly as the Tempestes had come, it retracted and the figure disappeared.

Hazel fell to the ground, panting hard. Her injured arm ached, and pain flooded through her as an endless ringing sounded in her ears. Hazel blinked as she recognized King Nox at her side, looking slightly concerned.

'Hey, stay with me,' he said, but by now the world was in the back of Hazel's mind as she tried to stay conscious.

Through her pain and confusion, she could make out one clear thought:

You're not going to pass out.

And, like clockwork, Hazel slowly came too as the world solidified around her. The ringing in her ears stopped, and her pain eased a little bit, and she could see King Nox kneeling next to her. 'Come on, let's get you to safety.'