Dawn of the Elements - Book 5: The Children of The Moth

Chapter Five: Prisoners of The Moth

The War Room was packed with people. New Elemental Masters, their parents, it was the fullest Silver could recall seeing it in a very long time. His eldest child stood at the head of the large table, where he and his wife would typically be. However this, this was her operation, and if she was going lead it, that was where she needed to be.

"The Children of The Moth have taken fifteen Sixteen year old girls from our capital city." Melody said, looking around the room. "We believe that they are being held in the dungeon of Raigan's abandoned castle."

She made eye contact with Carlotta, and Cyrodil. "The three of us are going to sneak into the castle and free those girls, before they can be used for some ritualistic sacrifice." She took her Shadow Thrik necklace off, and dangled it by the leather thong that carried it.

"This is our ticket in, and out of the castle." She explained. "Years ago, during the battle where my father first defeated my Uncle, he ended up charging several spare shards of Thrik Alloy with his powers, allowing people who don't have his powers to travel through shadows. With this, we will enter the dungeon, grab those girls, and get out before they even know we were there."

"My father has allowed us access to the only remaining shard that this kingdom has, plus my own. Each shard only has two charges remaining, one to enter the dungeon, and one to leave." Melody continued. "We will travel in groups, eight girls with Cyrodil, and seven with myself and Carlotta." She handed her necklace to her cousin who took it, nodding. "We have only one shot at this, so we have to make it count." She then dismissed everyone in the room. "We leave in fifteen minutes, so prepare for the worst. We don't know what's in there."

Once everyone left, the only ones remaining in the room were Silver, Lyna, Xander, and Melody. Xander looked his twin in the eye, and saw nothing but determination. Without even a word between them, Xander nodded in acceptance, and left the room.

Lyna then walked over to her eldest child, and kissed her forehead. "Are you sure about this?" She asked. "You know, it doesn't have to be you."

Melody looked at her mother, a slightly worried, yet slightly confident look on her face. "I know it doesn't have to be me." She stated. "That being said, how many times did you all ask Father to not go running into danger?" Herring mother went to answer, but was cut off. "And how many times did he not listen?"

"Ok, point taken." Lyna said, giggling a bit. "Alright, if you're sure about this, then you have my blessing. Just..." She then wiped a newly formed tear from her eye. "Promise me, that you'll come home to us."

Melody nodded, then looked at her father, who nodded his approval. Was he actually approving of her plan, no, not really. But she needed to know that her father was behind her, so he agreed.

Fifteen minutes later, Melody, Carlotta, Cyrodil, and her sister Torin met in the main atrium of the castle. Closing their eyes, Torin used her powers of Clairvoyance to project Melody's memory of the Dungeon into Cyrodil's mind. Taking Carlotta's hand in her own, Melody powered up her necklace. Cyrodil did the same with her own shard, and when they opened their eyes, they found themselves in a dark, grungy dungeon, which brought shivers up Melody's spine.

They stood in between several cells. Fifteen of them had teenage girls in them. The sixteenth, and final cell had a small cart in it. The cart had levers on it, along with a chain, that had a clear tube weaved through its links. The sight of this cart brought even more chills to Melody. It was the exact same cart that her Uncle Caius had used to torture her, and drink her blood when she was in the past. All these years later, it was still there.

"Mel!" Carlotta shouted. "We need your flames to get these cage doors open!" Melody left the trance that the cart had left her in, shaking her head, as she snapped her gloved metal fingers. A thin band of amethyst flames flowed out of her fingers, and entered the keyholes of the doors, melting the locks from the inside. Being a Doctor, she had developed ways of using her flames with elegance, and precision, which helped make this task move faster.

The girls all left their cages, frightened and scared. Melody took the hand of one of them. "What's your name?" She asked. The girl looked at her, brushing her crimson bangs out of her face.

"Cadance, Princess." She said, clearly frightened. "Thank you, for coming to save us." Melody nodded, and took her necklace from around her neck. Looking over at Carlotta, and Cyrodil, they started gathering the girls up. One group of eight, and another of seven.

"Alright, let's go." Melody said, as she took Cadance's hand. Looking at her other hand, she noticed that the two groups were linked, hand in hand, herself being the last person in her, and Carlotta's group. "Cyrodil, Carlotta! We have to think of the castle! Once we do, run into the shadows!"

Cyrodil's group left first, running into the shadows of the dungeon, and vanishing. Next was Melody, and Carlotta's group, which started running towards the darkness. Seventeen of the eighteen girls made it back to the castle, and as soon as Carlotta's group exited the shadows, Cadance dropped to her knees, bawling her eyes out.

"Hey!" Carlotta shouted, dropping to her knees and holding the girl. "What happened!? Are you alright!?" As she held the girl, she looked around. "Wait...where's Mel?"

"She got left behind!" Cadance screamed. "It happened so fast! We were running into the shadows, and Princess Melody was attacked! This crazy lady came out of nowhere, and grabbed her, ripping her hand from mine!" She was crying hysterically. "By the time I tried to grab her hand again, it was too late!"

"What happened!?" A booming voice came from the top of the grand stairs. Carlotta looked up, to see Silver standing at the top of the stairs. "Carlotta! Where is Melody!? What in The Six happened in there!?"

"Uncle Silver." Carlotta said, helping Serena stand. "These girls need food, water, and medical attention." She began helping Cadance up the stairs, Cyrodil helping with other girls. "Dr. Mallard, Aunt Dresnia, and Serenia can do the work, and I'll be there to help. We just need help gathering them all." She then whispered at Cadance. "Come along, dear. It's not your fault."

"What isn't her fault?" Silver asked, trying to calm his voice, as to not scare these girls farther. "It's ok, my dear. You can tell me. I won't get mad. I promise."

"I wouldn't listen to him, when he says that." Terry's voice came from behind Silver. "I've seen him angry, and it's...not exactly a pretty sight." He then stopped, seeing the serious look given to him by his daughter. "Oh...is it that bad."

"Um, Princess Melody, and her cousins came to save us, Your Majesty." Cadance said, gently brushing her bangs back out of her face. "And when we were leaving, she was attacked by some crazy lady." The frightened girl tried to regain her composure. "She knocked Princess Melody's hand out of mine, and before I could grab it again, we were here. If it weren't for her, none of us would be here. We owe her our lives. And I don't know about the others, but I will forever be eternally grateful to her for that, and want to...to help get her back. If I can."

"Let's get you and the others patched up, and fed, Miss...?" Silver said, helping Carlotta, and Cryodil with getting Cadance and the other girls into his daughter, and Dr. Mallard's MedLab.

"Cadance, Your Grace." Cadance said, as she was being laid down on a medical bed. "Please, Sir. If I can help, let me know. I want to be able to thank the Princess personally."

"And you'll get your chance, my dear." Silver stated, forcing confidence into his voice. But he wasn't confident at all. For as of this event, Melody was a Prisoner of The Children of The Moth.