The Mage Wars

The Castle

29 Lepus of the year 13004

"Keep your guard up, and don't touch anything," Galen says, taking the lead.

I follow closely. At the end is Altair, and between us are Ella, Holly, Sir Haedyn, Neirin and Kaelen. We decided this would be the best order. If anything was to happen, we'd be able to protect Holly easily.

Ella would protect Holly. Galen and I would defend each other. Sir Haedyn and Neirin would defend each other, and Altair and Kaelen would protect each other. Not that we expect to be attacked. Fingers crossed.

With our weapons and or magic raised, we reach the arch. Galen and I pass through. We continue to the castle gate when voices tell us to stop.

I turn around to face five fae and a human unable to pass through the gate. I lower my hands and turn to Galen. His red marks stare back at me.

Elysia must have cast a spell so only Spirit Mages can pass through. This is going to be a challenge. Not to mention, if I can't break the spell and if there are curses woven in...Galen doesn't know a thing about curse-breaking.

Galen's eyes widen, noticing my marks.

I walk up to the barrier and place my hands on it. It flexes and shows its magical properties. Shit. This is complex. "I don't know where to start...I'd need my spellbook,"

"Go look around. We'll grab your book." Kaelen states, taking Holly's hand in his. Ooh, what a turn of events. Galen and I watch their retreating forms head for the campsite. Sir Haedyn, Ella, Altair and Neirin stand in the arch and watch Galen and me.

The doors are in the short distance from the sole standing arch from which we stand. Massive doors. They make Galen look tiny. And he's not a small male.

We take hesitant steps toward the entrance to the courtyard. Two massive doors stand in our way. On either side of the massive dark oak doors are two bowls. They stand on pedestals with the ancient fae engraved on them.

"What do they say?"

Blood, they say blood. "Do you trust me?" 

Without hesitation, Galen responds. "Always have, always will,"

"Your knife," Galen hands me his knife.

I lead him over to the bowl on the right. With his large hand in my small one, I hold the knife over his palm.

"Do what I do, and whatever happens, do not move your hand." With that, I slide the knife over his palm. Galen winces—blood pools.

I go over to the other bowl and slice my palm. It burns. Turning my attention back to my bowl, I swallow my fears. Galen watches as I hold my hand over the bowl. He follows suit. As our blood hits the bottom of the bowls, a flame erupts from the centre.

Our hands are engulfed in flames. Heat pours off of it but never burns. A few more seconds pass, and the flame dies. In the bottom of my bowl are crystal fragments. Those weren't there before. A flash of light emerges from the bowl I stand in front of. Then, the doors swing wide open.

I was not expecting that.

"Eve? Gale? Are you all right?" Kaelen shouts, the others following closely.

One by one, they pass through the arch. Well, that's interesting. I wonder if the spell remnants can be salvaged to check what properties were used. Later Eve. You can figure it out later.

"We're fine," I state, trying to calm my brother.

"Good...We got through the arch," Kaelen looks back at the arch and wordlessly hands me my book. I don't think I need this anymore. I place the book on a circle of magic and let it get whisked away to the campsite.