Orion had always hoped there was more to the Enchanted Realm. And now, that dream had come true. Below Orion's feet, there was a whole new world to chart, to explore. And another world for Eclipse to conquer. He knew he had to stop her, and fast. Orion looked at the locket in his hand, now a chained necklace. He clipped the locket around his neck, stuffing it under his shirt. He looked up, seeing the dragon's nest in the Mountains. "That's our ticket down there, Moonlight."
"The dragon? How are you sure it trusts you?" Moonlight asked.
"I'm not sure. There's only one way to find out." He began to walk towards the Mountains, his sword clipped to his side and his shield resting on his back. Moonlight followed, with her bow and spear at the ready.
...
Orion entered through the hole in the mountainside. He saw the sleeping beast, incubating its eggs. Climbing into the nest, Orion noticed that the eggs' shells were much weaker and thinner. He could see something moving inside the egg. The baby dragons would hatch soon. Orion rested an open hand on one of the eggs.
"Orion..." Moonlight warned, seeing the mother dragon stare right at Orion. Orion turned to his right, coming face-to-face with the dragon.
"Moonlight, this is the Grayhorn." Orion stated. "It isn't attacking out of spite. It attacks because it wants to protect its children." Orion moved his hand from the egg closer to the dragon's muzzle. "The Grayhorn is a mother, caring for her kids." Orion didn't move his hand onto the dragon's snout. He let it come to him. Orion closed his eyes as the Grayhorn pushed her snout against Orion's hand. "This is how we get to the world below."
"Are you sure this is safe?" Moonlight asked.
"Yeah. Now, you ready to fly?"
...
Orion gazed upon the magnificent city below.
"This is the rest of the Realm?" Moonlight asked in amazement.
"Yep. Ready?" Orion asked, looking back.
"Ready for what?"
"This." Orion smirked as the dragon curved into a nosedive. Moonlight clutched onto Orion as tightly as she could. "Three," Orion began, "two," Orion looked like he was going to leap off the dragon's back. "One!" Orion pushed off of the dragon, free-falling towards the city with Moonlight still holding on. "Alright, SO, just like we practiced!" Orion's body became enveloped in darkness as the Shadow Infection ran over his body. Dark, ink-colored wings sprouted from Orion's back. He began to glide across the city, holding onto Moonlight. Orion pulled Moonlight up as he began to land. Landing smoothly on his feet, the darkness faded back into the scar on Orion's chest. "That was fun. Wasn't it?" He looked at Moonlight as he set her on her feet.
"More like insane." Moonlight replied, still shaken by the flight. A slim, metal man walked up to the two.
"Hello, newcomers, and welcome to Starport C-125." It introduced with an electric voice. "I am Model F, your guide for today. How may I assist you?"
"Orion, what is that?" Moonlight whispered.
"Something called a robot. I got this." He replied. Orion approached the robot with his hand extended. "Hello, Model F. My name is Orion Darkheart, and this is my counterpart, Moonlight of the Izuli Clan."
"I am pleased to meet you, Orion Darkheart, and Moonlight of the Izuli Clan. Where would you like to go to on this fine day?" The robot asked, politely shaking Orion's hand.
"I was wondering if you could tell us about Starport C-125." Orion suggested.
"Of course. Starport C-125, otherwise referred to as C-5 in the Starbase System, was built approximately one century ago. Since the Great Rise, C-5's technology has greatly improved."
"May I ask, what was the Great Rise?" Orion inquired.
"The Great Rise caused many parts of the planet to rise from the ground, the closest chunk of land being called 'The Enchanted Realm' by the inhabitants of it." Model F answered clearly. There was a ping from his system, and suddenly his voice changed. "Hello, newcomers. Welcome to Starport C-125. I am Senator Braize, governor of the starport. I would like to invite you to my tower in the middle of the city. Please, follow Model F to the tower." After that, Model F's original voice, the electronic, metallic one, returned. "If you'd please, follow me to the Senator's tower." The robot began to roll towards a vehicle. Orion motioned for Moonlight to follow him. Orion and Moonlight sat in the vehicle as Model F piloted it. The vehicle shot away at breakneck speeds towards the tower.
"Is this what it's like in your dimension, Orion?" Moonlight asked.
"No, this tech's too advanced for my dimension." Orion replied. It wasn't long before the two reached the tower. Climbing in through the window, Orion and Moonlight were met by the Senator.
"I understand that you two are from the island above, yes?" The Senator poured three cups of tea.
"She is, but I'm from...further away." Orion stated. It was the truth, but not a specific truth.
"Ah. Come, sit." The Senator pulled up three chairs. Orion and Moonlight sat down. "I feel like you two are not here just to sightsee?" Orion and Moonlight looked at each other, then back at the Senator.
"The truth is," Orion began, "we're hunting down someone dangerous. Her name's Eclipse. She's caused a lot of trouble recently. Maybe she's been down here, at the starport in the past few days?" The Senator thought about the woman Orion was talking about.
"I have never met an 'Eclipse' before, or recently. I doubt this woman you speak of has visited this place. Tell me, where is she from?"
"Mythology. Enchanted Realm mythology. But now, she's been resurrected, and she's making an army of darkness across the Enchanted Realm." Orion answered. The Senator seemed confused. "It might sound strange, but it's true. I've seen her work first-hand." Orion looked out the window. "We need to find her."
"Well, if any resident of this starport sees her, we will notify you immediately. Could you tell me what she looks like?" The Senator asked, a sketch artist robot standing beside him.
"Sure. Tall, possibly six-five. Long, black hair going half-way down her back. Dark purple eyes, always has some sort of shadowy aura around her." Orion described her clearly. Moonlight leaned closer to Orion.
"How do you know this?" She whispered.
"I don't know. Perks of being her son, I guess." Orion replied.
"Well, my sketch artist droid here has drawn her. I believe he got it." The Senator said. The robot showed the drawing, and it matched perfectly.
"He got it." Orion answered, proving that was what Eclipse looked like.
"Thank you. I will make sure everyone is on the lookout for this 'Eclipse.'" The Senator assured.
YOU ARE READING
The Enchanted Realm: At Journey's End
FantasyOrion hoped he had nothing left to do with the Enchanted Realm. But all of that changed when he was brought back. And now, there's a much stronger threat than he's ever faced before. Eclipse, the Legend of the Night. Against unbeatable odds, Orion w...