Page 11 of Where Darkness Falls

“How in all Celestae could you be so brainless?” Cara hisses, once we’re out of earshot. “Do you not realize that he could have killed you right then and there?”

“Someone needed to stand up to him. He has taken his authority over Aurelius too far. Mallie was our classmate. She never would have done something so reckless,” I reply.

“You do not know that, Maeva,” Cara scolds.

“You’re right! I don’t know that, but what else could I do?” I ask.

“Hmm, here’s an idea. Perhaps keep your head down, and not openly challenge the captain to a staring contest?” Cara snaps. “You acted rashly.”

It’s then I feel the smallest of tremors where her hand meets mine, and it is enough to suppress my mounting anger. After all, it is something I can force down easily after years of practice.

Well, until today, that is.

His cruelty is a daily occurrence in our village, so why would today set me off to this degree? Perhaps exhaustion is making me more irritable and irrational today. Regardless of my emotions, she is right. My actions not only could’ve gotten myself killed, but the rest of my family, too. The captain isn’t above punishing an entire family for the indiscretion of one member.

“You are right, and I’m truly sorry. I promise I won’t allow myself to be overrun by emotions again,” I say apologetically.

“I sure hope so because now the captain will be watching our every move,” Cara replies sharply.

As we round the corner to exit the village, I feel the heat of someone’s gaze on me. I glance behind to find the captain watching us, and my stomach sours at the realization that I just made us a target.

The restof the walk is quiet, minus the wails echoing from within the woods. If Malvoria had not been drenched in the ominous mist that surrounds the entire kingdom, I am sure Aurelius would look more charming than harrowing. It is a small village with brown cobblestone streets that are lined with quaint houses and businesses of all different shapes and sizes. The buildings are constructed of deep brown stone with thatched roofs that crescendo into tall points. The entryway to each home or business is beautifully designed with curved archways and unique detailing that adds a bit of eccentricity to the architecture.

In the center of the village is a small fountain filled with dark, murky water. It is said that villagers used to throw coins into it and ask for their deepest wishes to be granted. Of course, the wishes didn’t necessarily come true, but it was the wonder of the tradition that the villagers loved. Now, they try to avoid that part of the village due to the soldiers that lurk in the shadows.

While I don’t remember what Malvoria was like before King Tiernan and the Drakhul, I still remember the stories that the Elder told children before it was forbidden to speak of Celestae’s history. However, this didn’t stop the Elder from teaching us in secret after the decree.

“In the beginning of time, there was only the god of Celestae, Siorai,”Her voice would drone on. “After eons alone, Siorai became restless. He desired to have companions with whom he could share his knowledge and power. So, Siorai created the four kingdoms: Malvoria, Briezius, Abeautrox, and Zulgalros. Each kingdom was given a special portion of Siorai’s abilities to wield.

Malvoria, the Kingdom of Light and Vitality, was gifted the abilities of fire, mind-warping, emotions, healing, helping the landscape to flourish, and the very rare ability to wield starlight. They were also given one thousand years of life.

Briezius, the Kingdom of Winds and Tides, was gifted the ability to manipulate the waters and weather, as well as speaking in the native tongues of all creatures within the depths. They were given five-hundred years of life.

Abeautrox, the Kingdom of the Mountain Haven, was blessed with large stature, brute-force strength, and the ability to manipulate the grounds by forming mountains and canyons. Siorai also gave them five-hundred years of life.

Lastly, Zulgalros, the Kingdom of Shadows, was given the ability to wield shadows, have control over nightmare-like creatures, and even to shapeshift. They, like Malvoria, were also gifted with one thousand years of life.

For over a millennium, the four kingdoms lived happily and were united in harmony, following Siorai and reveling in the gifts that he gave his creations. Siorai loved them dearly, and for the first time in his immortal life, he finally had companions. However, this would not last for all eternity, as Siorai had hoped. Over time, his creations became restless and hungry for power.

The kingdoms of Briezius, Zulgalros, and Abeautrox demanded that Siorai give them unrestrained access to his abilities and to allow them to equally share the power instead of it being separated. Though Siorai tried to explain the balance of how he’d distributed the abilities, they wouldn’t listen as greed became their desire.

With a broken heart, Siorai relented and made a bargain with each of the kingdoms. The royal lines of each kingdom would not only wield one ability, but rather two of the strongest abilities within their own kingdoms—except for Abeautrox, to which he promised they would be invincible in their strength. He also granted all of his creations the gift of no physical signs of aging after twenty-five, giving them the look of immortality. This appeased the three leaders and their lust for power.

However, because Malvoria did not come before him, demanding power, Siorai promised their ruler that not only would their descendants be able to wield two abilities, but that from their lineage, an heir wouldcome that would wield abilities from every signet that Siorai had given his creations—the Na Fíréin. Once their reign began, there would be unending peace in all the kingdoms.

Upon hearing this, the other three kingdoms were outraged, demanding answers from Siorai. However, the god no longer answered their pleas, nor did he entertain audiences with them. Over the next ten thousand years, the rulers that made the original bargain with Siorai eventually died and their heirs ruled in their stead. Eventually, they also died and were replaced by their descendants. The Na Fíréin Ruler was never revealed, nor did they come to reclaim peace amongst all four kingdoms.

The rulers never heard from Siorai again, despite crying out to him. Many believe that Siorai abandoned Celestae, but some believe that he is lying in wait for his Na Fíréin to rise and bring peace to his beloved realm once more.”

Typically, that is where the Elder’s story ends. However, that is not how the history of Malvoria ends.

Two-hundred and twenty years ago, King Elias ascended the throne, and he was beloved throughout his kingdom. King Elias and Queen Riona ruled Malvoria with grace and compassion. Their reign was one of peace and harmony—everything flourished under their touch. King Elias even orchestrated peace amongst the other three kingdoms, in order to unite Celestae once again. The king would host elaborate parties to which everyone in the kingdom was invited, as well as the courts of the other three kingdoms.

For a time, all seemed well. Celestae believed that perhaps King Elias could be the Na Fíréin. Though he never wielded more than the two abilities promised by Siorai, the Malvorians were hopeful that the salvation of Celestae had come at last. But ten years ago, King Tiernan of Zulgalros invaded Malvoria, bringing the Drakhul with him—a sentient mist with the ability to curse everything in its wake. Creatures that once lived in harmony now hunt and kill one another. The creatures transformed into depraved beings such as orcs, wraiths, and kelpies—completely losing themselves to thecurse.

Malvorians waited for King Elias’s orders to take back control of their precious kingdom, but it was as if he and his entire family vanished. Not a word of their whereabouts were ever uttered. As the days grew darker, the hopes of the Malvorians diminished. They eventually gave up hoping for the return of their beloved king and instead accepted King Tiernan’s rule.

However, some still believe that one day the Na Fíréin will return to save us all. It is believed that the reign of the Na Fíréin will be marked with the return of the ancient dragons. No one has seen a dragon in over four centuries, but the stories say that they were glorious creatures that proudly served Malvoria.It’s also rumored that one was seen nearly fifteen years ago, but that sighting was never confirmed.

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