World Of Worlds (Arula: One)

Chapter 23

The first snowfall came as Karma expected to, but her mind wasn't on the snow, it on Termis. With as much pride as she mustered, she and Omar rode into Shurli. Omar kept the hood of his cloak on his head. Though, the guards at the gate gave Omar a suspicious look. Karma rode Pepper up to the castle doors, not bothering with the stables. She jumped off the horse and sped walked to the doors. Omar had a hard time keeping up with Karma, and that was saying something for her being a human.

"Would you like to share your plan with me for when we get inside?" Omar asked.

"There isn't one." Karma deadpanned; her thoughts were on Termis. Omar sighed as he followed his companion to what could be a trap. Though, he already knew how mad Karma is. Termis had crossed the line when he chopped down the old oak tree. Even Omar himself was upset, but not as upset as Karma was. That tree had meant everything to Karma. It was the beginning of a new world, a beginning of something great. And now, that symbol of life itself was torn of its glory. Omar let out a small breath as they appoarched the doors to the castle. The guards there didn't even hesitate to open the doors when Karma stormed her way in.

Many hallways later, the came to throne room doors. "Let us in, now!" Karma demanded the guards. The guards though did hesitate, and Karma pushed her way through.

"Hey!" One shouted.

"Get back here!" Said the other. But it was too late. Karma stomped right into the room and came face to face with Termis, who was at first surprise to see someone intrude, then a smirk spread across his wicked face.

"Ah! Creator!" He boomed, standing up from his chair. He walked down to greet Karma with a shake of a hand, but Karma did not take it. Termis seemed to be amuse by the gesture as he moved over to Omar. "And, Omar! A pleasure to see you, old friend." Shari, who sat on the elf's shoulder, hissed. Termis moved on, clearly not wanting to waste any more time on the elf. His gaze finally landed on Angel. "And you!" He said, circling the fox. "I haven't seen your kind in Arula before. Is he a new one, Creator?" Karma made no move to answer him.

"Where are they, Termis?" Karma demanded. "It's the first snowfall of the season. Just like you said." Termis gave Karma a confused looked.

"I'm sorry, I have no idea what you're talking about," then his eyes lit up. "Oh! You mean your brother and sister and their little friend, don't you?" When Karma didn't answer, Termis waved to the nearest guards, who knew somehow what to do. "So, Creator," he said, towering over her. "How was your trip to the Clans, mm? It's no doubt that the elven king was willing to help you. But I like a good fight. I truly do."

"You had no right to do what did," Karma spat. "Every clan was meant to live in harmony, not in chaos and disorder. The elves, dwarves, sprites, all of them, are not meant be enslaved and shunned. And yet, you did. Why?" Termis began to circle them, clearly thinking of he was going to say.

"Power, my dear," he answered. "You see, Creator, in a world like this one, we are meant to evolve. And yet, where are we in today's society? Someone once came up to me, three, four years ago. Sometime then and explained things to me simply. 'the world is changing, every twenty years this world changes. And there is nothing you or I can do about it. But that doesn't mean we can't start a new era.' Now that got me thinking. And well, if we were going to start a new era, then why not get rid of the one thing that makes this world non-evolved. The Clans!" As Termis said this, he eyed Omar. "Yes, the Clans. Because of every elf, dwarf, sprite, and every other Clan and creature out there, we can't evolve into a higher society. So, what did I do? Enslaved them, kill them, shun them! The less we have, the more evolve we can be."

Before Karma could even come close to ripping Termis' throat out, she heard a very familiar voice. "Karma!"

Karma whirled around when heard the voice. And then, she could tell that Termis had not been lying. Her brother Dennis stood there, along with her sister, Alice, and her friend, who Karma recognized as Star. Her sister's partner in crime. Karma whirled back to Termis. "Let them go, Termis. Now!" Karma growled. Termis smiled and laughed.

"I don't think you're in any position to give any commands, Creator. But since you asked so polity, I will... all I need is your book and key." Termis said, with a satisfied smile. Karma looked over at her siblings. Guards were holding them. Sighing, Karma reached inside her satchel and took out her book.

"Don't do this, Karma." Omar said, gently grabbing her forearm. "You know what he'll do, don't you?" Karma shook off his hand and nodded.

"I have don't have any other choice. I do not wish to do this, but I must. I'm sorry, Omar, but my family comes first." Karma said as she held the book out to Termis.

Termis took it with eloquence. He let his hands go down the spine of the book, looking at with such hunger. Termis turned his eyes back at Karma. "Now the key." Karma hesitated as she reached for the chain. The warm metal of the key hit the palm of her hand as she stared at it. "Hurry up, Creator. I do not have all day." Karma slid the chain off her head and dropped it in Termis' clammy hands.

"I hope you're happy," Karma said as she watched Termis slid the chain around his own neck. Termis inspected the key for quite some time.

"Mm, not quite," he said, as his icy blue eyes eyed Karma's satchel. "Give it to me."

"Give what?" Karma hissed. Termis rolled his eyes.

"The portal of course!" He said as if it wasn't a big deal. Omar reached for the hilt of sword as he stepped forward. "Please." Termis said. "You think you can kill me? You, elves have morals, don't you?" Omar narrowed his eyes at Termis, but he backed off nonetheless. Termis cocked his head at Karma. "The portal, now. Or your family pays." With a wave of his hand, the guards that held Karma's sibling put daggers to their throats. Alice and Star screeched.

"No! Please!" Karma begged. "They have nothing to do with this."

"Oh, but they do." Termis mocked. "The portal. Or they die." Regrettably, Karma took out the glowing orb and handed it over to Termis. The king looked at the orb with great admiration. Smiling, he waved the guards off. The guards released their prisoners as commanded. Dennis wasted no time as he ran and hugged his sister.

Karma was surprised by the hug at first, but she couldn't help but hug him back. "You may leave now, Creator." Termis said. "And I can't wait to see what type of fight you're willing to put out for me." He waved at the guards to Karma and the small group. "Make sure that they leave my city, why don't you?" Before Karma knew it, they were being dragged out of the castle and out of Shurli.