Embers of Magic

The Old Folks Don't Call The Shots

Zarah’s hands tightened around the handle of her Gladius as she stepped forward, leading the way through the darkness that threatened to snuff out all it touched. Even the light at the end of the corridor, that burnt as brightly as a candle flame in a room stricken of life, seemed as easy to put out as a candle. It was I who followed shortly behind and Rain, after me.

“This isn’t Metamorph, is it?” I asked as we pressed forward, the atmosphere around getting thicker and thicker the further we went. “No.” Rain responded. “We’re likely half way across the world from Metamorph by now. Can’t really be sure.”

“How’s that even possible?” I asked as I continued behind Zarah who answered me. “Ever hear of the labyrinth?” She asked. I nodded. “It’s that huge maze, right?”

“It’s more then that.” Rain continued. “It’s a living thing. One that shifts constantly in a realm of sheer discord, and nothing more. Down here, right could left and left, still left – so no matter which way you turn, you’ll still be headed in circles. Nothing makes sense down here.”

I understood. I’ve heard few tales of demigods who ventured into the labyrinth – even less of those who made it out – yet it was enough to know it was dangerous. Why we were headed through it? I had no idea. I was prepared to ask, although I figured it would make sense eventually. We continued walking for some time and the path hadn’t seemed to split at any point, yet it felt as if we were moving backwards. With each step we took forward, the light at the end seemed to shrink further and further.

“We’re almost there.” Rain spoke with her hand placed onto my shoulder after noticing my confusion. “Don’t trust what you see down here.” I nodded as I walked on through the darkness that tugged on me, urging me to head back with everything it had. I trusted Zarah and she trusted rain. I won’t give in to this maze. I told myself.

When we finally reached the end, Zarah pulled into the latch of a large metal door before tugging onto it. With a slow metallic moan, it slid open. Rain stepped in and Zarah and I followed, mirroring each other’s moments as we stood on either side of her. The room in front of us was nothing like the labyrinth. It was unsettling in a whole different manner. The air itself left me uneasy – heavy and tainted by war.

The room itself was furnished minimalistly. A table sat in the center with a large map sprawled across it. Rain sat down in a chair in front of her, next to an elderly man in white robes. His eyes were slightly glazed over and filled with sadness. On the other four points of the table set another four chairs. One of them, empty. The other two were filled by two men who looked like brothers. Behind one of the chairs, stood a pair about our age. A boy and girl. The boy had black hair and blue eyes and the girl, who was probably his sister, had blonde hair and eyes so dark, it was almost black.

“It took you long enough, Ashley. Do you mind telling the council why you’ve summoned us? Also, why is Zaahir’s seat vacant?” The first man asked. Rain landed forward onto her chair, clenching her first under the table as if she were enraged by the name. She was the youngest at the table, which was probably the reason the old man stood beside her. He sighed. “Straight to business, as usual.” The old man answered in Rain’s place, just as if she were about to speak.

“As you all know,” He continued, “this council is based on a degree of understanding between our respected groups. Each of us provide for the other in some way, or another. Metamorph supplies rations of our crops to Gelida and in return, you provide us with fish from the waters near your town.”

“And water to Harenae. In return, they support you in military might, in case you were to be attacked.” Said the man with the siblings behind him. “That brings us back to the question my brother had before. Why is Zahir not here?”

This time Rain’s advisor didn’t bother anawering, leaving it to her to break the news. She sighed. “Zahir has declared war.” The way she said it, the sentence carried weight, yet, their expressions didn’t even change the slightest. “The Pithos of Pandora has been opened and they are free. The only difference between now and a few years ago is that this time, they have no master. Hecate no longer controls the empousa.”

“What does have to do with Zahir? Or us, for that matter?” The first man said. His voice was clinically scientific as if her were dealing with mere numbers. “Do you expect us to fight for you?”

Rain stood up in shock. The second man looked towards his brother now, particularly surprised. The boy behind him probably mirrored Raines expression. He was an innocent kid, by the looks of it. The second man looked back sighed. “Even if we were to be help you, how much help would we be?” He said calmly and caringly. Rain sat down again. “Zahir’s army is like nothing we have. They’re born killers. Zarah, you grew up with him. You are aware of what he is capable of.” He explained and Zarah looked downwards.

“Why do you bother explaining anything to her? She is but a child who does not deserve her place in that chair. Roger, you’ve worked with her father. What do you believe we should do?” The man asked Rain’s advisor, his voice just as callous as before.
“We should give up. Hand the power over to Zahir.” Roger spoke again.

“No!” Rain bellowed. “My father fought and died for this village along with countless others. I am not simply going to hand it over to a tyrant!” Her voice now jumpy and anxious. The man spoke up again, “And how much more are you willing to send to to their deaths until you’re satisfied?”

She stumbled for a moment, trying to gather her words together before she pushed off her chair and walked towards the door, uttering her last words before walking back into the corridor. “I won’t let my people suffer under Zahir’s rule.”