Chapter 4: Ellysian Chains

"What's wrong with this cage and these tentacles? Shouldn't we break them?" General Vaelros wondered as he closed in, planning to remove the squirming green walls of liquid to free the two.

He felt bad for the Prince and Princess that had to suffer because of this. They were even younger than his own kids and yet, they were exposed to this kind of danger.

Upon looking closer, he could see they were injured.

Nymeria and Orion looked relieved to see them but were still scared since they were still inside the cage and could not speak with them.

Vaelros was about to touch the cage tentacles when he was interrupted.

"Sir, please don't touch those. 

They serve as defense mechanisms and turn into iron-like green swords upon contact. 

That's how these two were full of wounds since we used magic and weapons." 

One of the wizard apprentices explained quickly, knowing the Generals' preference for immediate response – using his muscles and weapons.

'Magic? There really is something weird here. Even if these are apprentice wizards, they could easily undo simple spells like barriers and runes,' Vaelros thought to himself while going around the cage, examining every angle.

"His Majesty has arrived," one of the apprentices announced.

Vaelros and the others moved to make a path and bowed in greeting.

The king acknowledged them and went to his kids without delay.

Recognizing the wizards who followed, it was clear the king was able to get the aid of two wizards – Rune Masters, who were about to go to the outer area of the Auroras due to some urgent news.

Rune Masters are wizards who make rune stones, decipher ancient text, forge legendary artifacts, control or summon beasts, and could go outside the protective barrier (Aurora) of Livingrings.

"Heavens! Your Majesty, these are Ellysian Chains," the two Rune Masters exclaimed in alarm upon getting a closer look at the water-like cage with tentacles.

"What?! How can some ordinary raiders and small-time hypocrites create these spells?" King Thalorin Sealbearer puzzledly said and looked at the two wizards, wanting to get more explanation.

"These are experimental chains made from harvested unique materials from the northern kingdoms of Urus," Jenna, one of the Rune Masters answered respectfully.

The Kingdom of Urus was blessed with both dangerous and beneficial minerals and resources. However, those who try to harvest must be able to fend off stronger enemies, or else even the little they got would be taken away.

And the material for this cage was from there.

Jenna knew what the cage was made of but did not want to divulge the materials since there may be people who would try to make it.

"They layered these with defensive spells and curses. We have to send the Highnesses to the Divine Archmages. However…" Dunesther, the other Rune Master, glanced at the sky.

The Auroras had visible holes in it which was also another state of emergency the wizards are busy with.

Dunesther wanted to tell King Thalorin that the Divine Archmages were preoccupied at the moment due to the magical holes appearing in their kingdom's defense fields, and thus, there could be delays. 

The Archmages might not be able to respond and heal the prince and princess immediately.

After all, due to the holes in the Auroras, the waters around the Kingdom were rising at an alarming rate.

One of the side-effects of the Auroras having multiple holes was the seawater levels rising so quickly around Livingrings.

Even if their kingdom was elevated and had a 100-feet wall surrounding it, if more holes appeared in the Auroras or the ones they had now continue to widen, waters from the seas would start flooding in.

Even if these rarely happen because of their multilayered barrier that even covers the base of the kingdom under the waters, it was better to be prepared, than getting a massive flood and having casualties.

The Auroras were defense mechanisms from thousands of years ago, built by powerful Eternal Maggis – the most ancient of all wizards. There were no records of how these wizards died, only their accomplishments were recorded in history.

Yet, the magical defense fields they built have protected the Kingdom of Livingrings from many attackers, like thousands of armies from neighboring kingdoms.

Jenna took over and checked the vital signs of the Prince and Princess first.

While the attention was on the results Jenna was reporting, Vaelros tugged at Dunesther and said in a low voice, "May I have a word?"

"Yes, of course. General Vaelros," Dunesther nodded.

Vaelros then said in a low voice, "Magical holes are rare for the Auroras. And these are about the fifth this year that I had seen those myself. You know this more than me. Do I need to know something you're not sharing with us?" 

Dunesther had a troubled expression and looked away instead of replying.

After all, Vaelros was implying that they could be facing a bigger threat. And with Dunesther's reaction, there is a high probability Dunesther already knew about it but was not sharing the information.

The Auroras could detect many threats. For instance, once the Auroras sense so much evil, they change into a shield that even if it looked thin, would make it impossible for those outside the shield to see what was inside. 

The only drawback was, even those inside would no longer be able to see what's going on outside the Auroras.

Thus, they could end up going on with their lives like usual, not knowing there were battles around them.

Such instances had already occurred countless times..

The king, the generals, and the Divine Army knew some information; but not to the same extent as those who went outside it when such battles were raging.

The outermost layer of the Auroras glimmered with a soft, silvery light which acted as a veil testing the intent of those who go inside. 

However, it often allows individuals to enter even if they had bad intentions unless they entered in groups or hordes. 

As a protection, the said layer also twists the memories of visitors once they step outside Livingrings, making these into dreams, nightmares, and mirages – making it hard for outsiders to recall what exactly happened.

It was one of the reasons Livingrings remained safe for so long.

Author's Note:

*Thalorin Sealbearer - King of Livingrings

*Jenna - a Rune Master

*Dunesther - a Rune Master

*Rune Master - a kind of wizard making rune stones, deciphering ancient text, and forging legendary artifacts that can control elements and summon some beasts