Demons and A New World
When the two of us were fully trained in the ways of the Riders, I took her into the Demon Realm. "Ah. Welcome back." Demetrius nods.
"Nice to see you too." I laugh.
"Kayla!"
"Hey Faelynn." I smiled, embracing the energetic elf.
"What's that?" She points at Thila.
"Thila. She's a dragon."
"I can see that. When'd you get her?"
"Not long after I left you."
"She's very pretty."
"I'm glad you think so." I smile.
"What's so funny?" Faelynn asked.
"Nothing. I'm simply talking to Thila."
"Whatever." She smiled. "So why are you here?"
"I wanted to let her grow up a bit."
"Anything else?"
"I also wanted to have a place to teach her more magic. Can I stay in the same room?"
"Yes, of course you can!"
"Thanks." I smiled and led Thila and Eclipse through the palace. "Let's go you two."
The next several weeks were spent not only training Thila, but Eclipse too. I gave them the ability to transform into a human-like form. At first, there were many things that didn't change properly, Thila still had her wings during the first several tries and Eclipse had the lower body of a horse still. Once we worked that out, I went on to teach them more, useful, spells.
It took about half a year of training before I deemed them ready to join me on my travels. Once I did so, I brought them into the court with me. I had given them clothes and taught them in the subtleties of humanish behavior. They weren't true humans, what with their pale complexions and pointy ears, but they were as close as we would get. Eclipse's hair and eyes were like that of hers as a Companion. Thila's eyes were shimmering and colorful, there was a hint of every color out there in the world. Her hair was simply an electric blue that faded into magenta at the tips. All in all, the two of them looked stunning. My long pink hair and blue eyes added to that pretty picture. When we walked into the place everyone stopped what they were doing and stared. Most of the eyes were on Thila, which made sense because her bright hair and mesmerizing eyes caught a lot of attention.
"Who are the ladies?" Faelynn asked.
I simply smiled. "This is Thila and this is Eclipse."
"But weren't they animals before?"
"They were. Magic changed them."
"Oh." I smiled. "Are you leaving again?"
"We are." She nodded and gave me and the other two hugs.
"Goodbye. Visit again sometime."
"Of course."
She smiled as we turned and left. Once out the door, I held out my hands to the two ladies who walked beside me. I imagined the next place and we were there. "Where are we Kayla?" Thila asked.
"We're in another world."
"So I get to start exploring with you?" She looked excited.
"Yes. You are ready for the world."
"Yay!"
"Let's get going now." Eclipse sounded somewhat bored.
"We should." I smile and led them to where I needed to go. We went to the place called once called Canrif, now called Ylorc.
The guards there refused to let us in so we waited. After a long time, a female wearing a cloak showed up next to them. "Let me see these people." The huge Firbolg guards stepped aside and allowed her to pass.
"Hello miss. I hope we aren't disturbing you."
"Of course you aren't." I saw a glimpse of a smile. "Who are you three?"
"I am called Kayla Frost and my companions here are Eclipse and Thila." I say pointing to each of them in turn.
"Where do you come from?"
"A place you wouldn't know."
"Try me."
"I am from a place called Earth, in the country of Japan, Eclipse is from a place called Velgarth, in the country of Valdemar and Thila is from one called Alagaësia in the Vault of Souls."
"I do not know those places."
"As I said. May we enter? I wish to see the king." She pondered for a while before nodding. "Thank you."
"Follow me please." She took us into the Cauldron and to Achmed.
When I walked in, I saw a giant figure lurking in the shadows, weapons at the ready. "Excuse me. You, in the shadows, come on out."
"Ow'd you see me?" The giant half-Bolg asked.
"Who are you?" Achmed asked, mismatched eyes narrowing into a glare under his hood.
"Nothing more than I told this fair lady." I gesture to Rhapsody. "Although, I am a traveling musician."
"Really? Then how did you see Grunthor?"
"I'm not just a regular musician. I'm also a Namer. As for how I saw him, I was once an assassin; hiding in the shadows is my specialty." The little god in my head had said that I was not only a Namer but also bonded with the element of ether. Grunthor began advancing on me, weapons at the ready. "Ah. I'm not here to kill you, King Achmed. Here." I proceeded to remove each and every weapon from my person and gestured for the other two to do the same. "I am here to find the one named Ashe. Do you know where I can find him?"
"What do you want with Ashe?" Rhapsody asked.
"That is not important. Where is he?" At their hesitation, I sighed. "Never mind. I believe I can find him." I turn and walk to the guardian stones of Kraldurge and descend into the caverns of Elysian.
"How did you..?" Rhapsody trailed off.
"Doesn't matter."
"How do you know Ashe is here?"
"I don't. This is just a guess." I sit inside the metal boat that would ferry me to the center of the lake, where Elysian presides. Rhapsody, hesitantly, followed and we went off. Eclipse and Thila also sat inside with us.
When we got to the center, I saw Ashe. "Hey Aria." Then he saw the rest of us. "Who'd you bring with you?"
"I did not bring them. She found this place herself." Rhapsody points at me, getting out of the boat.
"But how?"
"Let's just say, I have former knowledge of this place." I smile.
"So you're a First Generation Cymrian?" Ashe asked.
"No."
"Then how do you?"
"I will not say." I say simply. "Now, I need to speak with you."
"Why?"
"There are important things I need to discuss with you."
"But why me?" I sigh.
"Just come here." I walk towards the gazebo where Ashe will propose to Rhapsody as well as tell her of the coming events. "Now, since you, Gwydion, Ashe or Sam, have travelled through time and space yourself, you should understand what I am about to tell you."
"How do you-"
"Shush. I'm not done." He stops talking and lets me continue. "Now, I need to tell you some of my Past. First, however, I need to ask you what is happening right now."
"Why should I trust you? You know many things, things that you can not possibly know. Why should I tell you anything?"
"Because," I summon a single dagger, pinning him to a pillar. "I could kill you where you stand right now if I have to."
"Will you really though? You seem to want information and besides, your friends are watching."
"Your point is?"
"You wouldn't dare."
"Are you sure about that?" I press the dagger a little harder against his neck, drawing blood. "You should be more careful because I can gut you and then move on to your lady friend over there."
"I can see how ruthless you are. Except, you aren't that careful." He pulls out Kirsdarke.
"But I am. You may have bonded with the element of water, but I have bonded with that of ether."
"Ether? But-"
"Oh shut up. Are you going to attack me or tell me what I need to know?"
"I suppose I can tell you. I don't much feel like dying today." He smiled slightly. "I must say, you are quite the anomaly."
"Whatever."
"The most recent thing that has happened is the two of us have talked with Grunthor and Achmed about killing the Rakshas."
"I see." I nod. I went to the correct time then. "Now, I believe I owe you an explanation of my Past."
"You did say you would." He nods.
"Well, I was once an ordinary person, not special in any way. Then, I died. As I went along and travelled many worlds using a power given by a god, I gained more powers."
"How do you know what powers you get in each world?" I smile and tap the side of my head.
"I have a little god the tells me." He nods.
"That makes sense."
"Right." I pause, pondering my next move. "Now, I believe that sums it up quite nicely. The next thing to ask is, where can I help in your problems?"
"We do need strong people. How strong are your friends?"
"With what?"
"Anything."
"They can almost beat me in speed for melee weapons, for ranged they can't compare to me but that's only because I used a bow in my Past. In magic, they are proficient in many kinds, kinds you've never even heard of. And they are extremely skilled in noncombatant things as well."
"I see." Ashe nods, falling silent. "I believe you need to speak with Achmed and Grunthor."
"Got it." I turn and walk back to Eclipse and Thila.
"Why'd you attack that guy?" Thila asked.
"I know." Eclipse said before I could say a single thing. "He didn't trust her so she pinned him and threatened him. When that didn't work, she threatened his lover."
"That was when I pointed this way."
"Right. It seems she got what she needed from him."
"I did." I smile.
"What did you need?" The dragon asked.
"Information. It appears we need to-"
"Ashe! What happened?" Rhapsody shouted. "How much does it hurt?"
"Oh shut it." I growled, turning to the loud blonde. "I didn't hurt him near enough to leave a scar."
"Hey. Calm down." Eclipse rested a hand on my shoulder softly. "It's fine and you're scaring Thila."
"Damn. Sorry Thi."
"It's perfectly fine Kay."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." She smiled.
"Alright." I say, still not totally convinced. "Now, you two. Rhapsody and Gwydion, or should I say Ashe? Whatever you are called, I need a favor."
"A favor? Why would I help you? You hurt Ashe!" Rhapsody's fair face contorted with rage.
"Aria. Calm down please." She stopped and turned to him.
"But- Ashe she hurt you."
"And I'm fine. I'm sure she can fix what she did."
"I can and will, if the Duchess here will allow me to touch you."
"How'd you know that? You know what, never mind. I will let you touch him only as much as you need."
"Good." I nod slightly and approach, Rhapsody seemingly growing more agitated with each step I took. "Oh stop it. I only did this to prove a point. I know I said I was an assassin but I did not come here with the intent to harm the people of Ylorc whether they be here for a short time or live here. Stop looking so mad at me." When I finished talking, I was in front of Ashe. "This will hurt very much but it will all be over in an instant. Are you ready?"
"I am." I take a deep breath, steady my mindflow and my magicflow and lightly touch the wound.
"Bud strotom menod." 'Stop the blood and mend.' I murmured.
"That did hurt." Ashe groans, staggering slightly.
"Ah." I dart forward and catch him before he fell. "Be careful. Duchess. He's going to feel weak for a time, it will sometimes be numb and others it will be very sensitive. But he is healed. I need to speak with the King."
"Whatever." Rhapsody still looked angry.
"Look, I only did this to prove that I would stop at nothing to get what I needed. He did what I asked and that's it. Stop holding grudges."
"I can't! You hurt him!" Ashe, who was leaning against her, winced.
"Now you are doing the same."
"What?" She asked, eyes wide.
"Your shouts are hurting his ears. Now calm yourself and I can go. I'll leave you alone but you need to come talk with me when you've calmed."
"Why?"
"What?"
"Why are you helping?"
"Ask him." I point at Ashe. "And you, only tell her what she needs to know. I don't need this to screw up my ability. If she finds out, she may imprison me and separate me from them."
"Yeah. Sure." He sounded breathless and tired.
"Go take him to rest." I turn back to Rhapsody. "Goodbye." I give her a courtly bow and, turning, walk back to the boat. I sit down in it with Eclipse and Thila and row us across. When I got to the other side I stretched and waved back at Rhapsody. Then I went to talk to the King.