Sallitia: Age of War

12

Months passed as Faelyn and Sebastian met daily, their love blossoming amidst stolen moments in the woods and whispered promises beneath the stars. While their connection deepened, darker forces moved in the shadows, conspiring to undo the fragile peace of Sallitia. 

One afternoon, Valter and Layla ventured into the heart of the ancient forest, their steps cautious and deliberate. Layla’s sharp eyes scanned the underbrush.

“I’ll admit, I was skeptical about your plan.” came a voice from behind them. Valter turned sharply, staff raised, only to lower it with a sigh when Amadrya emerged from the shadows, her black wolf, Fang, at her side.

“How long have you known?” Valter asked, irritation flickering across his face.

“Since the very beginning.” Amadrya replied with a smirk. “I followed you the day you ensured the prince and princess met. A bold move, even for you.”

Valter huffed, crossing his arms. “And you said nothing?”

“I wanted to see how it would unfold.” she said. “Though I must admit, I didn’t expect you to meddle in royal matters.”

Before Valter could respond, Fang growled deeply, his ears pinned back as his sharp gaze locked onto the treetops. “What is it, boy?” Amadrya asked, crouching beside the wolf.

A raven suddenly burst from the branches above, its wings beating frantically. Layla reacted instinctively, flyingafter raven and attacking it. Fang darted after it, his powerful legs propelling him through the underbrush until he leaped and caught the raven mid-flight. Despite his ferocity, the wolf did not kill the bird, only held it tightly in his jaws.

Amadrya approached cautiously, her brow furrowing as she recognized the raven’s golden eyes. “Dallahal…” she whispered. She gently retrieved the bird from Fang’s grip, stroking its sleek feathers. “Why would Asherah send Dallahal this far into the forest?”

Valter’s expression darkened. “Let’s find out.” he said grimly.

As they turned to leave, Fang barked sharply, drawing their attention to the ground. Nestled in the dirt was a fragment of black, glowing crystal. Valter knelt and hesitated before carefully picking it up.

Amadrya gasped. “It’s a zhaoxing! A rare and dangerous magical stone used in dark rituals. With this, one could return a spirit to a body.”

Walter tightened his grip on his staff, the wood cool against his palm. “Keep your staff ready.” he muttered.

Amadrya summoned her staff, its surface entwined with delicate leaves and blooming flowers. “We should waste no time.” she said. Valter struck the ground with his staff, invoking a teleportation spell that bathed them, the wolf, and barn owl in a shimmering blue light. Moments later, they appeared at the base of the White Tower.

They sprinted through the tower's winding corridors, their footsteps echoing against the stone walls. As they reached Asherah’s chamber, the door was locked. Fang lunged at it, his powerful body slamming into the wood until it gave way. Inside, Asherah knelt before an ornate mirror surrounded by a glowing black pentagram. The room reeked of dark magic, and on his arms burned symbols etched in black fire.

The air was thick with malevolence as Asherah chanted: 
“I call the darkness on to me from the deepest depths of earth and sea. 
Of the ancient evils unawakened, break that which can't be broken. 
To darkest night, I pledge my soul and to crush my heart in burning coals. 
To summon forth a deadly power.
To see my hated foe devoured. 
Break the bond, tear the fabric, cleave the stone, stop the magic!”

Valter’s heart sank as he realized the ritual was nearing completion. “Asherah!” Amadrya shouted, her voice sharp and accusing. “So, you’re a traitor after all. It was clear from the moment you conveniently ‘traveled’ whenever the orcs attacked or the dragons reappeared. Tell me—what did Egeldor promise you in return for his resurrection?”

Asherah turned to face them, his eyes glowing with an unnatural light. “Power.” he sneered. “More power than you fools could ever comprehend.”

He summoned his staff, a sinister weapon of dark purple crystal, and lashed out at them with a surge of energy. Valter deflected the attack, his staff glowing with protective wards. With a decisive strike, Valter disarmed Asherah, shattering the dark staff into fragments.

Before they could breathe a sigh of relief, Dallahal darted from Amadrya’s grasp, snatching the crystal shard from Walter’s pocket. The raven placed the shard within the pentagram, which flared to life, bathing the room in an eerie red glow.

Amadrya unleashed a ball of radiant light, striking the mirror. The glass fractured, but the ritual’s power surged. From the shadows emerged Egeldor, his body whole once more, his presence suffocating and cold.

Asherah dropped to his knees, bowing deeply. “Welcome back, master.”

Fang charged at Egeldor, his fangs bared, but the dark wizard raised a hand, his fingers curling as if crushing an invisible force. Fang’s body convulsed mid-leap, falling to the ground in a heap, his breaths labored.

Egeldor raised his hand again, summoning a gust of wind that threw Valter and Amadrya against the stone walls with bone-jarring force. The wizard’s voice was deep and cold as he taunted them: “You are the only light in this darkness. Give up. My orcs and dragons will raze Rohan and Hisidore, and Sallitia will be mine once more. You are alone, and there is nothing you can do.”

“You’re wrong!” a voice called from the doorway. Paladin, Avalon, and Onodius strode into the chamber, their staffs gleaming with magical energy.

Amadrya’s eyes widened. “How did you find us?”

“By your light.” Onodius replied simply.

The wizards joined forces, their staffs glowing as they channeled their combined power. A brilliant, rainbow-colored orb formed in their midst, pulsating with energy. Together, they launched the spell at Egeldor.

The dark wizard laughed, unfazed at first, but the light began to consume him. His form flickered and twisted before turning to dust, his presence vanishing with a final, chilling scream.

Asherah, now exposed and without a master, transformed into a shadowy wisp and fled the room.

Amadrya staggered to her feet, her voice firm despite the exhaustion in her eyes. “We must warn Rohan. The orcs and dragons are still coming. If they prevail, all of Sallitia will fall.”