The Rise of the Fallen Queen

Chapter 62

CHAPTER 62

Enemy Camp...

Ivory White sat in a mediative state as her fingers traced around a small circular disc about the size of a silver dollar. So many questions troubled her mind and she needed answers to clear them.

Flashback...

The young Ivory sat with her back against the rough bark of a tall tree. Normally her twin would be sitting next to her but she was taking extra time practicing her magic. Ivory didn't bother with the extra practice. It was wasteful to work on something she easily mastered the first time she tried. The girl would much rather enjoy the fresh air and fields of flowers.

Something shiny caught her eye. Curious she leaned forward. The branch beneath her suddenly broke and she went plummeting to the ground. A pair of arms caught her before she hit.

"Be careful, child." The man said.

Something about the shiny object had entranced her so much that was unconcerned with fall or the stranger that stood near. It looked like a talisman. Wiping away the dirt encrusted on the surface, she saw there were symbols etched on the front.

"Interesting piece you have there." A soft voice spoke gently.

Ivory stared at the beautiful stranger. His hair was the same color as her own.

"Forgive me, little one." He said, kneeling so that he was the same height as her short frame. "I didn't mean to startle you. It's not every day that I see such a pretty beauty seated among the plain flowers."

"Thank you for saving me. I think the flowers are quite lovely."

The man lips quirked in a half smile. "You're welcome. They are quite dreary compared to the magnificent gardens near my home."

"Where is your home?"

"Not far. May I see that?" he asked pointing at the small talisman in her hand.

Reluctantly Ivory placed it in his outstretched hand. Holding up his hand he whispered, "Show me home."

The disc began to glow before it rose and slammed into the side of a tree. A doorway appeared. The man stood and walked over to stand next to it.

"Come child and have a look." He said as he walked through.

Ivory stood at the entryway. Curious but still cautious of a stranger she didn't know. A huge stone castle sat under a pitch-black sky. Surrounding the monstrosity were millions of curious plants that looked likes roses but were completely engulfed in different colored flames. The man walked through the portal and over to a pretty blue flamed rose and plucked it from its stem. Upon the flower's removal the entire plant collapsed in an ashy heap. The man walked toward the entry and knelt on the ground in front of her.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he asked. "To hold its beauty the whole plant must die but this flower will exist far beyond the ashes."

Digging a hole in the black soil, he placed the flower at the bottom and covered it. Immediately a new plant sprang up, brighter than the last.

"Heaven and earth are like these flowers. For far too long they've existed as a dull flame but when you replant them. They burn with a brighter more brilliant flame. I want to make the world a better place." The stranger in white said.

"The Creator would be pleased. I've heard that man is sinful and is always breaking our Father's heart." Ivory said.

The man smiled though the light didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yes. But He's far too sentimental to remove the flower in order to create a more beautiful place. We must do it for Him and He'll see that the world will burn brighter than before."