THE ELDERIEN CHRONICLES: Aftermath Of Darkness

The King of the North

Cloudy sky.

Snow, lots of them. Mountains covered with snow, and rivers frozen on their surfaces. That was the most basic description of the northern continent, the home of the species which were ostracised from the rest of the world. 

As the soft night wind blew past the frozen trees, making them shed the snow that resided on them, Corvius emerged from the blue river in which he had been submerged. The river was not frozen when he came out but as soon as his entire body was lifted off the body of water, the river froze up. 

Corvius slowly flew towards the river bank where six young women were kneeling on the ground, heads bowed as he approached. One of them held a large black cloak and quickly proceeded to put it around him as soon as his feet touched the ground.

Corvius let out a growl as the coat wrapped around his body. His pale skin had dried up almost immediately, and he gave off constant cold steams. His short black hair revealed two horns on the side of his head and his blue eyes were sharper than a glassier. 

With his long, black fingers, he ran his hand through his hair, revealing the black stripes and scales on his arm. The girls continued to keep their heads bowed and none of them dared to move.

"My Lord..."

Corvius heard a message transmitting into his ear. He kept quiet at first, as he was annoyed that someone dared to disturb him.

"My Lord...Obaro is back." The same voice said again.

Corvius let out another growl and waved his hands. Suddenly, the scenery around them began to change and suddenly, the river bank materialized into a large room lit with blue crystals. 

Standing in the side of the room, with his head bowed was the large, tall man that had pursued Dead in the forest. As soon as the women saw him, they quickly hurried out of the room.

"Well?"

Corvius said to Obaro as soon as the girls had left. His voice was icy and dangerous like many things terrible had been combined to create it. Obaro stood there, head still bowed.

"We lost him." He responded to Corvius. 

Corvius did not like the reply. He slowly walked towards Obaro and looked the man in the eye. But then, his eyes had turned pitch black and his skin had gotten paler.

"You lost him," Corvius repeated and Obaro quickly bowed again.

"I will make it right, my king. I will lead a legion and find the mage as soon as possible." Obaro responded. Corvius was still calm.

"Do you know why I made you one of my three generals? Other than your skills, it is because I believed you were efficient enough never to disappoint. Tell me, Obaro, was I a fool for believing in you?" Corvius asked Obaro, but the man did not reply.

"Answer me!"

Corvius barked at Obaro and when he did, a powerful gust of energy escaped his lips and thrummed around the room, destroying some of the crystals in the process.

"No, my King," Obaro replied.

Corvius sighed.

"Where did he take the cube?" Corvius asked.

"He took it to Elderien."

"Elderien? That is a surprise. Why would he take the cube there of all places? Did he think the mages could protect him?"

"Perhaps, my king. Elderien is hailed as the most powerful human kingdom. It makes sense if he wants to protect something that important." Obaro responded.

"You know how important the cube is, Obaro. It is the final gateway I must absorb to become truly invincible. And yet, you let it get into the hands of the kingdom that contributed significantly to our peril..."

"I deserve death for my failure, my king."

Corvius ignored the statement.

"I think it's time I pay Elderien a visit myself. It has been a long time since any of our people found their way there."

Corvius said and chuckled. As he did, his eyes returned to the blue color they were initially. Obaro knew better than to stick around after that. He quickly took his leave So as to prepare.

***

Alastair focused his mind on the cube that was vibrating in his hand. He tried to figure out what it was but in all of his years as a mage, that was the first time he was seeing something like that. It both amazed and terrified him.

His eyes then went to the young man lying on the bed. Alastair continued to inspect his clothing, trying to remember where he had seen their likes before. But then, his eyes went to the boy's face and he saw something that made him shudder. 

It was a birthmark, and Alastair had the exact replica of it at the back of his thumb. How could that be? Alastair could not also deny the fact that the boy actually looked like him when he was younger. It couldn't possibly be what he was thinking. It was not possible.

"Is it just me, or does this boy look a lot like you?" Cara suddenly asked Alastair and that made him gaze at her.

"What are you doing here? How did you escape the wards?" He asked her.

"I found a way. What's his deal anyway? I heard there was a fuss when he arrived." She asked.

"That is not something you should concern yourself with. You need to be in training right now. I order you to leave." Alastair said but Cara rolled her eyes. Then she focused them on the cube.

"That's... powerful." She said as she gazed at the cube. "Do you know what it is?" She asked Alastair who shook his head in negative.

"No. I guess we have to wait until he wakes up. He is the only one who can provide answers. His magic is powerful. I saw his Sparks." Alastair said.

"His name is Drax," Cara added.

"How can you tell?" Alastair asked her.

"I just...know," she responded.

"Hmm." 

Alastair knew she was getting even more powerful by the day. And that was a good thing. 

Just then, Drax gasped and opened his eyes. He looked around as he hyperventilated, and wore a confused look on his face.

"Where am I? Where is..." He searched around for the cube and calmed down a bit when he saw it in Alastair's hand.

"You are safe. I just need you to tell me who you are and what this cube does." Alastair said to him

"You don't understand. You should hide it. Hide it so that he cannot get his hands on it. Please, that's the reason why I brought it here." Drax begged but Alastair was confused.

"Who's 'he?' who's coming?"

"He..."

Drax stopped talking as the bright morning sun was suddenly covered by thick black clouds. Cara walked towards the window and looked out, surprised by what she was seeing.

"It's... snowing. But how can it be snowing?  We are in summer." She asked Alastair who turned his attention to the young man. But then, Alastair felt the familiar cold on his skin. He knew something was off.

"He's already here!" Drax said to Alastair, and the only thing in his voice was horror and dread!