Ascending Light

Temple

There were villages dotted around the temple, but they didn't stop at any. They flew right through the largest and closest village catching stares and awed faces. They went in through the front gate and didn't stop flying until they were deep inside the castle and Crysen was thoroughly lost. It was in a large hallway that they were greeted by a group of fairies. The most recognizable among them were the two with crowns. The Queen, his aunt, and Prince, his cousin. Both hovered regally among other fairies that looked like priests and Guardians.

Crysen saw their faces change as everyone slowed and Crysen glided out from behind his father. Disbelief and astonishment took over and everything was still and quiet for a moment before one of the priest rushed towards him and grabbed his hands. "Amber how wonderful it is to see you again! You look as radiant as you ever were!" He babbled on about Amber's beauty as Crysen tried to pull away. He was being mistaken for his mother and he wanted no part of it.

After a second of struggle, the end of a spear appeared next to Crysen's head and the fairy let him go in shock. Crysen swiveled around and darted to Emery's side away from the priest. "Fargus," Emery said the fae, "look at him. Really look at him. He's not Amber."

The fairy's gaze went to where Crysen hovered at Emery's shoulder, and then back to Emery. He backed away slowly, gazing between the two. "Where is Amber? And who is this boy that looks like her?"

Emery rolled his eyes and lowered his weapon. "This is our son Crysen. Amber is dead, Fargus."

The fairy's eyes grew wide with horror then flashed with anger. "What do you mean she's dead? How could she die?! You were supposed to protect her! I thought you were the Great Stone Guardian! How could you let her die?"

Emery sighed and looked at Crysen, who seemed to have withdrawn into himself at the topic of his mother. Softly, he said, "She got sick, Fargus. There was nothing I could do. It was her time and she went with a smile."

The fairy seemed to wilt where he hovered. His shoulders slumped and he asked weakly, "How long ago did she die?"

"Eighteen years. It was a week or so after Crysen was born. She wasn't sure she would make it through the pregnancy, so she was ready to go anyways. She loved Crysen more than life itself."

Crysen cut a look at his father. He thought it had been days and he was sure he was told she died within days of his birth. His father had to be lying to them so that they wouldn't blame Crysen. If she hadn't given birth to Crysen she wouldn't have gotten sick. It was his fault.

His father laid a large hand on his head, as if sensing his thoughts, and smiled warmly at him. "She wanted you to have a chance at life. She'd already had hers, Crysen. She wanted you to experience the world and everything it had to offer you. She had found her place. And she was glad to give it up for you if she had to."

Crysen looked away as he felt his eye burn with tears. "It isn't fair."

Emery sighed and wiped the tears from his face. "Yes it was. That is the way life goes, my little one." When Crysen didn't budge on the subject, as usual, Emery sighed. "Come here," he said opening his arms. When Crysen moved into them to be comforted, he sent a scathing glare at Fargus. He threaded his fingers through Crysen's hair. "Don't dwell on the past, Crysen. The past is over. Look to what is not done yet."

Crysen sniffed and nodded. "Yes, Daddy."

Emery sighed. He wondered if he would ever get through to Crysen. "Now, why don't you go over and say hello to your aunt? She hasn't met you and I'm sure she would like to."

Crysen peeked at the queen. She looked like she belonged in painting, not in real life. He'd never seen someone who was so beautiful and regal. He supposed his mother had looked like that to, but he'd never seen her but in a statue. He fluttered over carefully, nervously linking his hands in front of his stomach.