Breaking Light

Chapter 19

She opened her eyes to a blurred vision, unable to focus on anything. A sudden assault by a pounding headache sent her senses in a frenzy. Everything hurt, convulsing her body. She could only remember being stabbed in the gut by demonic claws and seeing her own blood ooze out of her body. She bolted upright, screaming in pain.
"Aria! Easy... easy. Lie down. It's going to be all right." Michael held her by the shoulder and set her back on the bedding. The comforting voice of her father calmed her down and she lay flat on her back.
"Take a deep breath." He said and placed a hand over her head. He whispered something and his palms gave off a soothing glow. She felt the peace as healing energies flowed through her. Michael got up, walking towards the door. He spoke to someone outside though Aria couldn't hear a thing. Pain engulfed her senses again and she turned to one side hoping it would ease some suffering but to no avail. She let out a painful moan. Her nerves were on fire and she could feel her blood pumping. Despite the constant effort, she could not focus but she felt the presence of another being. Through unfocused vision, Aria noticed a silhouette of a tall figure with a radiant blue aura so bright that it hurt her eyes. The being walked closer and sat beside Aria. It held its hand over her and a warm glow intensified on its palms sending pulsating waves of pure energy through her body.
"Harwě Nahț śieñe". His voice echoed in her head. Her vision blocked out and her body eased. She felt her strength returning as the flow of energy coursing through her veins magnified and with each beat of her heart, her body mended herself bit by bit till she could finally open her eyes properly and see the world around her again. Her body ached badly and every joint resisted movement but it was better than the harrowing pain she was in. Breathing didn't hurt anymore which was a blessing and she was grateful for it. She looked around the vast expanse of an elven room with walls that were made of a light colored wood and that arched, bending at random places and after only a moment of observation she realized that it was all inside a living tree. Plants of various shapes and sizes decorated the corners of the space and their flowers had glowing spheres suspended in mid air. The chandelier over head was also carved out of dark wood and energy spheres were floating about slowly, lighting up the entire room with a warm glow.
Aria sat upright slowly, anticipating pain which was dull now. Her bed was round, the mattress and pillows so soft that made geese feather pillows feel uncomfortable. The quilt was a velvet that felt completely different to touch. She looked up to see her father staring at her with a concerned gaze.
"Hey dad, What did I miss?" She said with a dazed voice and drowsy eyes.
Michael walked to her and placed his hand over her head ruffling up her hair.
"Nothing much kiddo."
Her peripheral vision caught a glimpse of a bright blue light. Instinctively she looked to see but turned her head away immediately as her eyes couldn't take the sudden exposure. A silhouette surrounded by a constantly shifting blue and silver aura that made ripples in the air around it it. She held a hand in front of her eyes and the light seemed to fade away revealing a tall, slender elven male with golden skin and ice blue eyes. His hair were long and intricately woven in patterns held in place by a gold circlet and pins. His gaze had an irresistible attraction and held the experience of the entire universe but his expressions were warm and welcoming. His long blue robes were immaculate and gave out a glow of their own. He had his hands clasped together and he looked at Aria with a knowing smile. She felt like she had known him all along but could not remember from where or when.
"Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo Aria Melissandraiel"
He said. Aria looked aloof. Not able to understand what he said, she turned to her father for some explanation.
"A star shines brightly in the hour of our meeting. You're to say *Sùilåd Luinil*." Michael's voice whispered inside her head and the elder elf started laughing.
"There's no need for formalities here my dear. I am Ealondiril. Or more commonly known as Luinil, the Blue Star, among your people." As he spoke, his aura burned blue in the aether and he radiated immense power. Power she had not felt in a very long time. Not since her childhood accident with the rift void.
"Wha..What happened? Last thing I remember was the ambush. And then everything went black."
Ealondiril put a hand on Aria's shoulder lightly and walked past her. He approached Michael and the two spoke in elvish, none of which Aria could understand.
"You were hurt... Badly. Melissa and I managed to hold your life force till we got you here. If it wasn't for Hir Luinil, we'd have probably lost you."
She looked at him, his face had smooth features with a warmth rarely found in elves for the other races. He smiled at her, ice blue eyes fixated on her so deeply that she felt her soul was being looked at.
"I wish we had met at a more fortunate time Aria Redstone. But it seems Fate has a different plan for you. Mikhaeel, my old friend, as much as it pains me to have to bid you farewell so soon, I'm afraid my time in this universe has finally come to an end."
"Hîr Luinil, you don't have to stay back. There has to be another way. We have a rift open, you can come with us!"
The Elf looked at Michael and shook his hand.
"No Mikhaeel, you must accept your fate as I have come to accept mine. Destiny calls for you and your daughter. Be strong and remember me when you drift away. May the light of the stars guide your path."
Michael bowed his head in respect and sat beside Aria.
"How are you feeling now?"
"Apart from the sharp memory of being stabbed and the strange movements in my gut. I feel great. Can't believe I didn't see that demon."
Melissa walked inside, her gaze fixed on Aria
"Neither can I. How could you be so careless Aria?? If you had focused instead..."
Aria rolled her eyes and held up her hand
"I'm glad you guys were there. I'm telling you, that demon was fast. And I could not sense it. Not with all that background ethereal radiation."
"We were lucky we made it to Master Ealondiril in time." Melissa walked by to the large window carved out in the wall. Vast expanse of a lush green forest with tall trees could be seen and among them stood numerous elven buildings, designed so perfectly that they complemented the forest and looked like part of the nature itself. The sky was almost red now with streaks of yellow and silver that marked edges of the clouds above. Two suns of Tiernok over the horizon. Stag bolted inside the room with a worrisome expression on his face.