Elementis: The Darkness Awakens

Chapter 2, A Realm of Wonder

On the other side griffins flew overhead. As soon as they were through the portal closed. There was no turning back now. They were in a clearing. It was the same set up. Only these stones seemed like they were more looked after than the others. Like they were actively being used. He seemed hesitant to continue following the two brothers.

He looked back at the portal. It was just a large circle now. The pillars weren’t glowing. Jack looked back at Nick. Josh kept moving. Nick just stood there, “The first time is always the hardest. You’ll return home as soon as you set our kingdom free.”
“What exactly am I here to do?”
“About a year ago, our sister Ashlyn sought to find a magical artifact. It was said to hold a powerful dark magic. She believed it could be used for good. She wanted to use it to win a war that our kingdom waged against another. It did exactly what she intended. It made her strong enough to defeat them.”
“Then why is she a problem?”
“There’s no known way of removing it from her. At the time we didn’t know that. As the days went by she changed. She became cruel. We all had to flee our kingdom. We’re staying with a neighboring kingdom. She’s tearing ours apart.”
“What happened to the other humans you brought here?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
“I’m assuming you want me to kill her.”
“Josh does. I don’t. I want you to cure her. Help her realize what she truly is and what she can be.”
“And if I don’t?”
“It won’t end well. You have a good heart Nick. I trust you’ll do the right thing.”
“How do you know?”
“I just know. Now, let’s go introduce you to my sister.” Jack replied. He walked beside Nick. It was at this point that Nick was now regretting his decision. These people needed a hero. In a world full of magic, that didn’t seem like him.

As they walked Jack pointed out each of the kingdoms. There were fourteen kingdoms in total. However only seven were part of the UKM, the United Kingdoms of Magica. Elementis was a part of the UKM. That’s why they had permission to stay in a neighboring kingdom. Apparently the UKM and the kingdoms who weren’t a part of the organization didn’t get along well. That could’ve explained a few things.

As they walked Nick came to like Jack. When they reached Josh he didn’t seem pleased. He stood in front of a large gate. It looked beaten down. There was a huge wall around the kingdom. Nick didn’t understand why they needed a large wall, “Why is there such a large wall?”
“It’s meant to keep things out. That way we’re safe from harm.”
“Right now it’s being used to keep something in.”
“Your sister.”
“If I had a gold star you would get one.”
“We had to set up a forcefield too. It’s keeping the destructive magic in.”
“Is that what came out of your hands earlier?”
“Another gold star.”
“Just open whatever you need to open.”
“Good luck.” Jack said. Nick walked through the gate. There was an entire town inside the walls. Then the door shut. Nick was alone.

It looked like a city from the middle ages. There was a castle and everything. Nick continued to walk toward the castle. It looked like everything was in a dark haze. Everything was frozen in place from when they all fled. It was quite tragic really.

Then Nick crossed the drawbridge. He looked down into the moat. He saw fifteen bodies floating on the surface. All in armor and with weapons in their hands. Why didn't they give me that? Nick thought. He continued over the bridge. The door to the castle was enormous.

The door opened all on its own. Nick walked into the castle. It was a true sight to behold. Unfortunately he wasn't all alone.