Realm of Galderia

chapter 38- Fear and crimson fog

Fleeing through the servant's entrance stopping only to wink to Gina for trusted silence, she crept outside to the magnificent garden behind her castle. Looking to the dark night's sky for guidance, her reply was only the nocturnal pull to the forest. Veronica smiled at the moon beaming down lighting a path for her. She walked slow and steady taking in all that she could see and sense in the dark hour. She watched the branches swaying in the cooled night breeze. It almost had a hint of magic to it, serene and soothing. 

She felt closeness to the dark, as if it were a creature, a friend. Veronica walked through the deep woods, in a chipper mood, as if the dark spirits within the forest had cloaked her with a calming ritual. She had more than a few things on her mind but as she headed deeper into the forest, those problems didn't seem to bother her. She felt at one with the darkness, heading to the creek. She had taken this path to her favorite spot in the woods so often she could do it in her sleep. Once she had made it easily through the forest, Veronica climbed on top of the huge rock formation and waited for the gargoyle. She observed one thing about Ludwig, he never showed up until she did.

She didn't mind waiting for him to get there, it was quiet. It often helped her think. Sitting on the rocks she looked up to the sky, once in a while he would fly in to greet her. He liked the way it made her smile as her eyes lit up when he was in flight. This late hour she didn't have to wait all that long for him to land near her. The beat of her heart raced as he landed, she slid down the rocks to see him.

"Sorceress, it's great to see you, as always."

"I'm glad you're able to make it as well." She followed the polite greeting with a hug; she loved to hold him, if only for the brief moment in the darkened forest. He was her entire life, but she wouldn't admit it to herself. She'd never dare mention it to the gargoyle, either.

"Are you doing okay?" He asked with a bit panic in his voice, as if he had a very good reason to be concerned for her.

"I would have to say yes, but why do you ask?" Glaring at him she raised one eyebrow, suspecting a deeper meaning to the question.

"I just like to make sure you're doing fine, no worries then?"

"Things seem to be doing fine, I haven't seen the raven."

"Great, I'm so glad to know that you are safe. I worry for you when I'm away." He spoke with a genuine need to know she was well.

"Ludwig, may I ask you something?" She purred at him like a kitten.

"Yes, of course what is it?"

"What is it you do all night? I mean after you leave here, where do you go?" She asked with a simple innocent curiosity.

Ludwig's eyes grew cold and dark. He glared her down before saying what he had to.

"You like our meetings don't you?" He asked with a sharp tongue.

She froze where she stood, saying nothing but nodding yes to answer him.

"What will end in disaster?"

Ludwig turned and spread out his wings, flying off into the night. He couldn't tell her anything more with out risking exposure. If word got out that he was even near her, the council would reassign him. He couldn't do that to her, he would lose her for the rest of eternity. He couldn't make that kind of sacrifice for either of them.

Veronica just shook her head as her closest friend flew off in to the dark sky above. She hated it when he would fly off like that. It used to anger her without question, now it was more of an annoyance. Slumping down on a soft patch of earth, she tried to clear her thoughts before returning to the castle for the night. Closing her eyes and inhaling the cooled night's air had helped. She stood up and brushed herself off, heading back the way she came, disappointed that Ludwig left so quickly. She forced herself not to worry, she would just see him the following night and it would be fine. While lost in her thoughts, the walk back home felt a little too soon. When she approached the court yard, Terrence was sitting there perched near the small white bench in the north corner of the massive court yard. Surprised by his presence, she jumped back ward.

"I haven't seen you around lately."

"Where is your amulet?"

"I put it away to keep it safe."

"You really should be wearing it." He advised her in a fatherly tone.

"Ludwig says I shouldn't wear it." She admitted with a look of shame.

The raven glared at her and then softened his gaze just enough to take the fear out of her eyes. He crept closer to her, and then whispered to her.

"Have you asked yourself why he said that?"

Veronica just shook her head no, unsure by where this was going.

"The gargoyle doesn't want you to wear it because it is  powerful. It would make you more powerful than other magical creatures."

"How do you know that?"

"I've seen what it can do. I know its power only too well."

"Why did you give it to me instead of keeping it for you?"

"It isn't for me to have; I was to give it to you."

"Who told you to give it to me?"

"One of your relatives, it holds the family's magical essence. It will not work for anyone outside of the family line."

"What can I do with it?" She asked with an eagerness he'd never seen from her until now.

"Put it on and find out, young sorceress."

She stroked the top of his head  before saying goodbye and retiring to her bedroom chamber. Once Veronica had quiet time to reflect on the night, she took the raven's advice and put on the amulet before settling in to bed. Once snuggled into bed, it didn't take her long to drift off into her own world of nightmares and dreams. Slowly a dark red mist began to fill the air surrounding her. Veronica looked around to see nothing but an immense, thick crimson fog. Even though she knew it was a dream or vision, it felt incredibly real almost too intense. She knew better than to show any fear, it was like black magic to nightmares. She had dealt with a lot of nightmares as a little girl, before her magic had reached its full potential.

When the dark blackish red fog had begun to lift ever so slowly, she saw the most horrible vision. She saw within the nightmare she saw first her magic suddenly gone. Covering her mouth to hold back a scream of horror, she watched completely powerless as her castle had crumbled to the ground, over taken by something she didn't recognize. She could see them, suddenly she couldn't breathe. She felt as though she were drowning in a pool of pure evil. She woke leaping upright, covered in sweat and shaking like never before.

-CruQ