[Firstdragon34]

I'm excited to share with you guys, a story that started as a small story and soon rose to a senior project to a re-typing. Now, I'll post the prologue as soon as I can get your corporation that you won't steal my idea. But I'll give a brief synopsis:

This story takes place on another planet that is named like Earth, but the spelling is different, but anyways. 

This story is about a young woman who is part of an Alliance that keeps the Teran Empire safe, from the harrassment of the Servator Union. Why is the Union kidnapping Children? What is the Red Star that glitters in the Far South? Welcome to a world where you have never been before. Think of it as a miniature Pandora. ;p

[Rodo]

I think no one around here has ever stolen a story, so it's probably safe to post it.

[Firstdragon34]

I was thinking the samething, but I had to make sure just in case. I'll post the prologue tomorrow when I have access to actual internet, not this country side dial-up! The only problem with this story that it is very long. Maybe I'll leave you guys in a cliffhanger after the first three chapters. ;p

Here is the prologue. enjoy. ;p

About ten thousand years ago, a mechanical race ruled over Etarh. The Mechanical Protectors watched over the people and gave them protection against hungry empires that wanted 1their lands.  The Mechanical race had developed what is now called: Crystal Psyenergy or simply called Magic to the human population. This gave them the ability to safely rule over the human population, but peace never lasted long. Another empire grew in the west called Sarvataii.


 The people of Sarvataii discovered how to use Magic and conquered numerous lands that were free of rule. They called themselves Servator Imperials. The Servator Empire rose to power conquering smaller Mechanical Protector Lands. Another Empire rose to the east of Sarvataii in the Plains of Yninor, a large expanse of flat grasslands.  They called it the Teran Empire. They held an alliance with the Red River Elves and the Moon Elves of the far south.  The Teran Empire gave the people of the Plains freedoms. They too also discovered Magic, but used it for machines that could fly and also in machines of war.

    The Emperor of the Servator Empire attacked the Teran Empire. He lost to the Teran because they had heard of this attack and quickly prepared an army. The Emperor of the Servator Empire knew they had two powerful enemies to deal with. The Servator Emperor in desperation ordered his constructors to build a weapon of terrible power. Meanwhile, the Mechanical Protectors liberated more claimed settlements from the Servator Empire.

   
   Emperor Undras Thanaan of the Sarvataii, ordered his army to the capital of Kiin, where his weapon was being built. Powerful dark wizards called Vandrûls were there assisting the constructors. The Teran Empire and the Mechanical Protectors arrived at Kiin. A terrible battle followed.  The Teran Empire and the Mechanical Protectors, known as the Allies, broke through the defensive line and headed straight for the Emperor’s castle. 


   Vandrûls quickly overwhelmed Teran Emperor Yninor Danâr’s wizards. The Mechanical Protectors did a massive counter spell killing all Vandrûls. This allowed the Allies to go through and they overwhelmed the Emperor’s Army. They swarmed to the heart of the castle where the weapon was hidden.  The Allies tried to destroy it, but it was guarded by the dark souls of sacrificed Vandrûls.  Eight Mechanical Protector Elders surrounded the weapon.  Using their own bodies, they encased it in metal, sealing the weapon forever.  Emperor Savatar surrendered to the Allies and the rest of Sarvataii was liberated. The remaining Mechanical Protectors created a seal ensuring that magic won’t create weapons’ of mass destruction.  Some thousand years later the Mechanical race disappeared without a trace.  Many more thousand years passed . . . knowledge of the war was forgotten, only a whisper of the Mechanical Protectors’ existence quietly echoes on the breeze. .  .this whisper has been picked up by a young woman, who will change the fate of Etarh.  . .

[Firstdragon34]

Don't be afraid to leave a comment or a question.

[Rodo]

what?, I got dizzy while reading it... you should probably take more time and expand on the details of the background story, different races and factions that arise.
Also.... where's optimus prime when you need him?

[Firstdragon34]

I wanted to focus on the Teran Empire and Servator Imperials, but I guess I could do another rewrite. I'll post the first part of Chapter 1 early of next week.

[Firstdragon34]

Here is Chapter 1!


Chapter 1
Crîsta Cót dën jei Dahrexi Allieu
(Crystal Court of the Rider’s Alliance)

   Two Teran Empire soldiers escorted a young teenager into the Hall of Riders, where a council sat with their companions beside them. In the center of the room were infant beasts of various types, circling around anxiously.  The soldiers stopped the teenager six feet from the beasts.  A Red River Elf sat there along with other races within the New Teran Alliance.  The Red River Elf spoke to the female teenager “You know you were picked on this day?” She nodded silently.  “Pick your companion, but choose wisely,” cautioned the Elf.
The teen walked farther into the chamber to view the beasts.  A fox puppy with big ears did its best innocent look as a flaming red fledgling knocked the fox away.  A lizard with a small feather crest crowded in as the teenager walked between them.  A fledgling bird that was a mixture of an eagle and a dragon caught her attention. The girl walked over to it as it saw her.  She bent down to touch its head, and it touched her hand.  A glowing orange aura flew up her arm and around her body as an orange aura glowed on the palm of her right-hand. She flipped it up to look at the new mark on her palm that fused to the magical crest.  Usually a magical crest is formed when a person first uses magic. This crest is usually on the hand that the person uses magic the most.  “You are now a Rider, and this Khathr’rahni is now your Companion.” The Elf said but seemed to disappear from view as darkness took the chamber. 
Six years later.  .  .
   I woke up with a small start and remembered that I was sleeping against my Khathr’rahni, a fully grown half eagle-half dragon, who assured me that everything was all right.  I named him Ruby, an easy name, but also easy to remember.  Outside my house that was between branches of a Yán tree, the wind was kicking up, making the heavy canvas breath like a being.
   “There is a storm coming, a long storm until the morning break.” Ruby said in my mind like a sentinel.  “Yes, I can feel it coming, like an avalanche.” I replied back relaxing against his feathered side.  He turned his head to gaze at me with a large deep red eye that held patience and wisdom, but at the same time held fires that burn deep from within.
    A large feathered wing covered me in more darkness, but safety and reassuring of protection.  I fell asleep instantly just as the first rumble of thunder clashed in the sky, followed by the bright fire of the gods (and goddesses). 
   In the morning I woke up still under his wing. I rubbed under his wing to let him know that I’m up.  He moved it away as I stood up to greet the morning rays of the sun.  The air was rather chilly, but not enough to shiver.  I went to my wash closet and took a warm bath that left me refreshed for the day ahead. 
   I put on a white shirt along with another shirt that was blue and a leather vest, a belt and leather jeans, along with my sword. I unhooked the ceiling panel that was wide enough for Ruby to take off from our room.  I put a saddle on his back making sure it was secure and then we were off! I’m at the Yán Forest of Cra’van Island a long distance away from my true home in the Teran Empire.  We flew up high above the thick, towering trees of the Yán. 
   Many other Riders were taking off as well; Dragons, Phoenixes, Blie’narui, other Kathr’rahni, and several enormous Cathra’hulr. On the forest floor, I can hear Drexai’ai and Orai’dhu run through the brushes, scaring up birds. We made our way toward the City of Ioviek, that is about twenty some miles from the Córl dën jei Kyurû. I must say, it is just beautiful. Ioviek disappears into the very trees it is built in.  I can see the Rnàr Vivnér (Red River) in the distance as well. 
Its nontoxic, deep red waters snake through the Yán Forest.  Soon, one by one, our steeds dove toward the ground in a pack, putting their wings back like eagles dive-bombing fish.  At the last second they threw up their wings to soften the landing.  We are in the heart of Ioviek, a large out of place quarry with crystals growing out of the ground. Indeed this is the place of learning for new Riders; The Crîsta Cót dën jei Dahrexi Allieu, The Crystal Court of the Rider’s Alliance.  Running Companions slowed to a trot as they entered the large iron gates.  Their Riders got off of them walking slowly on the emerald floor.  I got off also as Ruby crouched down folding his feather-on-dragon wings. 
   My boots thud on the emerald ground.  This is the place where we go every day except on weekends and holidays from Early Morning Sun to the Lazy Evening.  We walk up to the enormous front door calling it in Teran ‘Jei Enûr dór lahr hean.’, ‘The Enormous Door of Hell.” When the youngest ones asked what that meant, we told them rather amused that they don’t know their Teran, and they nearly fainted (to our amusement). 
   Rën Valor, another Rider, showed off by opening the door with a phrase “Pnén jei dór dën jei Crîsta!” Open, the door of the Crystal! It opened groaning with age as the enormous multicolored crystal door opened to reveal a massive interior.  We entered, so did our Companions as the door closed with a clang! We followed the long deep green, red, and sundown orange hallway with massive pillars holding up the ceiling of the Gods. Far above us the ceiling was like the large window of a temple.  The sun was shining through it making a variety of colors on the floor.
   We came to another door that was just as enormous as the front door. It opened automatically for us as we walked toward the Crystal Court center.  The room was just as enormous as the rest of the building with pure crystal pillars and sloping stadium like sides that had carved seats. Huge carved ‘caves’ were up above us allowing our Companions to sit or lay down during the session.  Once we got ourselves seated while the others came at later times and soon the Crystal Court was nearly filled with Riders and their different Companions.  Finally the doors opened and closed as a tall robed man entered the room. He had a Ruu on his shoulder, a small immortal creature that has a head and body of a rabbit with long ears.  The man flipped back his hood showing a face that had the traits of a Rider Lord.   
   All of the Riders fell silent at once. Our teacher began “Young Riders all around the New Teran Alliance -welcome to the Crystal Court of the Rider’s Alliance!” He exclaimed this in a booming voice, raising his arms up to emphasize. 
   Many Riders’ applauded and then soon fell silent.  “Thank you for the applause, but it was hardly necessary for I can’t help myself.” He explained in a mocked embarrassed voice, which grew chuckles from the crowd then all fell silent with excitement.  “For those, who know me and those who don’t, I’m Yiochâut Thiût, your teacher and guide to Gallant Knighthood a level that is hard to reach. Many won’t be able to reach it.” He continued, “You will at least reach Apprentice Rider level, which isn’t bad if I say so myself. Now we began! Stâut Ghî!” The room got nearly pitch black in the same instant, millions of stars shot into the room reflecting off the crystals themselves.  “Now tell me, which star is Rhërvên, the star of Teran Guide on the seas?” Yiochâut asked us walking in the dim light. 
   A young voice from across the room from us said, “The bright one near Lhûryè, the Guide star of the Yninor Plains!”  The teacher turned in the dim light to step a few paces forward then stopping, he said, “Good, Good! Now tell me where is the Rnàr Fraiy dën Anûre?” The teacher continued his pacing; we sat in silence trying to find this star. 
Dnâr, a dragon, answered the question. “The one next to Fìr dën Illûm and right beside Hvún Dardàna.”This time Yiochâut clapped three times then said “Very Good! Now for the last star, where it is, this one is a tough one for it won’t last in the heavens much longer; it is called Ehràur.”This time the silence seemed to last for hours before I inhaled a bunch of air and taking a wild guess. “Is it next to Yienior and Mionûr?”I asked feeling quite foolish and very nervous despite my Rider training of self-regulation and control.
   “You are close, Rain, very close indeed! You were just two stars away! They are Ghîtau and Frìdórn.”He continued with an amused voice, “That is the closest that any Four Star Knight has guessed. The reason I asked for those stars is because they are important! You need to navigate by them!”
   “Let’s start on magic now. “Ghî Khûm!” The room got steadily brighter, paining our eyes, making them water.  “Now let’s go into the hallway, where there is plenty of room for you and your companions,” he said; leading us out of the Crystal Court and into the massive hallway.
The Ruu spoke this time in a squeaky voice “Now join up with someone as partners and practice your defensive spells! Make sure you use the right words and pronunciation!”
   We all paired up with our Companions behind us to lend some support.  My partner was Hrîn Vèlr, whom I respected very much.  He was a Binary Star Knight, two full levels below me, but was strong in defensive spells.  I started out with a clever spell, choosing my words carefully I said “Fìr Aslr!” Fire Blast! I extended my right hand out as my Fûrai Gheai (Flaming Palm) - glowed red with orange.  A fireball collected near Hrîn, but he was quicker as expected “Skûl ea lahr jei Fìr Aslr!” Shield me from the fire blast!  Just as he said those words, it exploded sending a shimmering shockwave across the massive hall.
   His shield held quite strongly as I predicted earlier.  Once the magic dissipated, it was his turn to fire off a spell.  He grinned at me; I thought to myself, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”  “Teg Lrîn Uach!” I instantly said back “Skûl ea lahr jei pneill!”Shield me from the spell.  The shield came up like a flickering half-sphere of transparent energy. 
   His spell clashed with the defensive spell breaking it with a bang!  I was tossed six feet back landing on my butt! I got up quickly with a counter spell in mind “Vrioch joea gliovah nio Òra!” Turn his legs into water!  My right palm glowed like a Sèin Gheai (Shining Palm).  A sphere of water formed around my Magical Crest and shot forward toward Hrîn.  With a rueful grin he countered “Skûl ea lahr jei Òra Pneur!” Shield me from the Water Jinx! My jinx broke through the shield spell swallowing him in light and water as it swirled around his body; then fusing into his torso making it clear, blue water. In an instant, Hrîn collapsed on the crystal floor unable to get up.
“That little Yán Rat caught me by surprise!” I thought to myself. Hrîn said the spell in a liquid voice. “Teg Lrîn Uach!” Get her back! A watery blast shot from his left hand hitting me hard in the stomach, making me spin wildly then collapsing on the floor like him.
   “Okay, we both lose for now!” I said reaching out an arm, which he had to scoot some feet to shake it eagerly.  “Oh come now! You can play in the dirt sometime later! Vrioch teiwl Uach!”  Turn them back! The Ruu squeaked shrilly as our legs turned back solid which was a painful process. We both got up to our feet. The other Riders were firing off spells back and forth.  The sun-filled hallway was echoing with bangs and yells.  Some ganged up on each other and I spotted the notorious ‘Fire Stars’ a small gang of six ganged up on a Single Star Knight.  “Oh, dear I have a bad feeling about this.” Commented the Ruu seeing the action, but watched with readiness to pounce in the action.  “With your permission I would like to help the Single Star Knight.” I asked him over the din.  He nodded with approval and I took Hrîn with me for defensive purposes. 
   The Single Star Knight was holding his own, but barely.  I aimed for the three of the six Fire Stars that had their backs turned to me.  My palm glowing, I yelled, “Vrioch tewl gliovah nio Òra!”  Turn their legs into water! In an instant, they yelled in surprise as they collapsed on the floor with a thud!  Hrîn’s hand glowed as he yelled out “Etarhuaqû!” Earthquake! He punched the floor and a clear shockwave extended from the center. When it reached the other members they were thrown high into the air landing softly due to an unspoken spell.  They forgot about the Single Star Knight and came after us with a glint in their eyes “You picked a fight with the wrong Knight!” The center member said loudly walking like he owned the place.
   I didn’t say anything as my magical crests glowed.  I surprised them all by saying “Òlr mònàn Emidôr Dâdelvâwr!” I summon Demigod Tidal Wave! There was a bright light that made everyone dive to the ground. A huge tidal wave came from behind me and crashed into the gang, sweeping all of them into the foaming waters.  With a flip of my right wrist the water formed into a huge foamy, dripping sphere held up by magic.  Thin magical filaments danced around my hands as I kept it in the air.  A gang member nearest to the curved wall of the sphere heaved his arm out. 
   His unspoken spell forced me to drop it causing a huge splash, soaking everyone.  The same member threw up his right arm and I was lifted off my feet. I couldn’t think due to heavy clouds in my mind.  I noticed my air ways were contracting.  Hrîn yelled “Ehrà joea pneill!” Break his spell!  There was a bang and I was let loose, falling like a rag doll.
    I coughed for air struggling to get up.  The members advanced toward me with an angry glint on their faces.  Ruby put himself between me and the gang members.  Their Companions stepped in to protect them from Ruby.  “That is enough already!” Ruby boomed into our minds with great authority.  I managed to get up with a helping hand from Hrîn. Yiochâut declared a break. 
   One of the gang members Companion, an Orai’dhu, came over to me nosing me softly in the back. A gentle, shy, female voice asked, “Are you okay, little one?” I turned around rubbing her soft nose. “Yes, I’m fine but, just a little shaken, but fine.”
  “I’m Yarlen. What is your Eagle-dragon’s name?” asked Yarlen, with a soft expression on her face. I smiled thinking of the name that he tolerated. “Ruby,” I said to Yarlen, who had a twinkle in her black eyes.
   Yiochâut’s Ruu flew over to us landing on my shoulder.  He looked at me with curiosity in his eyes. Then he spoke, “Young Knight, you will find your fate in the Tomb of the Protectors in the Ruins of the Servator Empire Castle in Kiin in the Iion Forest.  Once your find your purpose there, then go to the Heart of the Yán Forest.  There you will find the Beacon of Light, a piece of the Lost Protectors. Finally go to the Deep South in the Heart of the Moon Elves’ Realm. In a huge glacier, you will find your weapon of choice.  This weapon shall help you defeat the Lord Shadows, and the Red Star.” With that he flew off before I could ask what he meant.
   Yarlen nuzzled me with her nose “That was interesting, it is rare for a Ruu to give out that kind of information to a young Four Star Knight,” she said.   Ruby looked at me with a piercing gaze. “That information is not to be ignored; we must look into it as soon as possible.” Ruby commented. Yarlen joined her Rider some yards away.
    Yiochâut called for attention and class was to begin again. Yiochâut instructed us to get partners again.  We were to practice our swordsmanship.  After that he called for a lunch break. We munched from our packs.  Lastly we went outside to practice our riding skills, while Yiochâut flew with us on his own red Dragon, named Rhôǹwhêir. I think the name of Yiochâut’s Companion is not Teran, but is Rhö’larga, the language of the old Servator Empire.
 This practice involved the Companion runners as well as our flying steeds. We safely dueled in the air.  “I said carefully! You’ll be lucky not to lose a finger!” cried out Yiochâut, who was worried as we dived-bombed, each other; the Dragons, and Phoenixes exhaled fire on each other. 
   We dueled with magic as well.  If we fell off our steed, the Staem tewl fhiwl Slow them down spell would slow our fall.  Using my outstretched finger to focus my aim; I followed another Knight, who was about my level. “Ghî Ghea!” Light Ball! A small ball of light formed between my index finger and thumb; using my middle finger and thumb I flicked it at him. The Rider batted it away with a lazy flick of his right hand. The ball of light blinded him temporary. 
   Ruby knew what I wanted; he shifted his wings so he could go to my left.  I swung out my sword, and the Rider blocked it, but he was knocked out of his saddle.  Just as expected, he fell slowly toward the ground. His Dragon caught him lazily and the Rider shook his fist at me.  I grinned, firing another spell “Fìr Tawther!” Fire Thrower! My Fûrai Gheai glowed in flames. A torrent of flames shot forth from my palm. He moved the flames aside easily. He yelled back, amused, “Nice try, Rain!”
   As the flames started to disappear behind him, I know a spell from Rhö’larga, which was “Flŵr Drëhron!” Fire Dragon!  Instantly, the flames revived into a huge molten dragon that chased the other Four-Star Knight.  Yiochâut killed it with his own magic “Òra pleinsr!” Water Replenishes! A huge fountain of water steamed my conjured dragon!  Yiochâut was probably wondering where I got that.    
    Yiochâut angrily ordered me to land. He landed his Dragon next to Ruby, and slide off with a huff. “Where the Stars did you get that?!” he asked outraged. I didn’t show any real emotion.  “A friend in Sarvataii taught me that,” I replied sharply. Yiochâut demanded “Who?!”  I gulped down some spit before answering, “Kenya, Jei dàrreich.” Kenya, the dark leech, Yiochâut was flabbergasted. 
   An hour later the other Riders were all on the ground. Yiochâut wanted me to explain where I got that piece of magic. “I was taking a trip out of the Teran Empire to the Servator Union.  I wanted to see my friend, Kenya, who is cursed with the dark leech.  He was cursed with it when he hunted down and killed the Dark Prince of the Iion Forest.  On his last breath, the Dark Prince cursed Kenya with the Dark Leech, a parasite that infects a magic user.”  Another Rider asked Yiochâut directly, “Do you know Rhö’larga?” Yiochâut answered, surprised, “Yes, yes, I do! I know just in case I have to go through the Servator Union. Why?”
   The Rider shrugged. Judging from the sun’s position in the sky, it was time for us to leave, as others were starting to do. After getting on Ruby’s saddle we took off toward the Yán Forest. I noticed that Ruby’s wing strokes were slower than usual. He was tired from the intense day. It took us longer to get back.  We landed in our tree house that served as our home in Yán Forest.  I closed the top of the tree house, securing it safely.
 “Rain, we should do as Yiochâut’s Ruu told you to do,” Ruby said, following my movements with his head as I put my sword away and threw myself on my bed. 
   I looked at Ruby thinking “We should do it sometime soon, but first we need to practice our skill some more if we are to visit the castle ruins of the Servator Empire and the Protectors Tomb, if it does exist.”  Ruby didn’t take long to answer “We also should be cautious and wise, Young Knight!”  I looked at Ruby smiling ruefully, meaning he is always right.  It is impossible to argue with him.  He tucked in his wings and curled his neck back so his head was beneath his feathers and scales.  I sighed and gazed into the abyss of the mind until I went to sleep a dreamless sleep. 

[Rodo]

Not bad, I had a real problem reading those strange names in elfic.. or whatever that language is, aside from that everything else seems ok.
Try using backspace a little more, the text seems a little cluttered at some parts making it hard to read.

[Firstdragon34]

The language is called Teran, the main language of the Empire. I was going to call it Tehran, but their is a town called that in some country.

But anyways, here is Chapter 2, be warned it is slightly dark. ;D



Chapter 2
DárGhî dën jei Fìr Raeth
(Dark Light of the Fire Wrath)

   Ruby said in my head, “Awake, young one of the Four Stars.  We are in danger!” I awoke instantly as I threw off the covers.  I listened intently as I heard far off voices shout into the night.  I put on a night-black robe with long sleeves.  I put my sword in its scabbard.  I opened the ceiling to let Ruby out. “I’ll meet you outside!”  I said to him as he took off, air from his wings batted my robe.  I closed the ceiling tight.
   I went down several flights of wooden stairs before coming to my door, which I opened, coming out into the cool early night. The neighboring Yán trees were lit with candles and magic. A young knight came running up the stairs from below with his young Companion.  Ruby landed nearby on a thick branch, which made him look quite regal.  “The air is filled with unrest for there is an intruder in the Yán Forest tonight,” Ruby said in my head.  The Young Knight came to me breathlessly, saying, “Master Knight Ieganor wants you to help the others!”  Then he was off with his young Companion trailing behind him.
   “Master Knight Ieganor? Huh? Well! Let’s be off!”  I said jumping onto the thick branch with ease and climbed onto Ruby’s back without the saddle.  Ruby took off into a dive as he opened his great silver upon flaming red wings to glide some hundred feet down, until we came into a company of Phoenix Riders. I recognized the group as the Flame Lords; one the most respected group in this part of the world.
   One of them shouted out, “Well, looks like the Four Star Knight has arrived!”
 “Cut it out, Blìgrn!” the leader shouted back at him, who the Red River Elf known as Rûne.  I looked out across the Yán Forest to see nearly all the trees were illuminated and alive with activity.  Ruby perched onto a thick branch as Rûne came beside me.
    “What happened out here?” I asked shifting to a better spot to look at him.  “This all started when a Rider found four corpses, sadly all of them were Trinary-Knights, and their Companions were badly wounded and could barely fly.  Two Riders found the Companions and thanks to their healing efforts, they are now resting in the Healing Halls.”  He continued, “The wounds would’ve been fatal and were seared around the edges.”  I couldn’t imagine that happening to us. I mean who would murder young knights?  Assassins from the Servator Union, or maybe a small cult, who was still a member of the Old Empire?  I spilled a single tear for the loss is painful. Trinary Knights are one of the most celebrated levels of being a Rider.  “I feel your loss, young one, but we can’t let those feelings get in the way. You have the right to feel them, but not to act on them.” Ruby counseled me with a soft voice that was like a warm breeze on a dark autumn day.
   I nodded unable to go on. Ruby counseled me again, saying, “In time we will capture the bandit, and he will come to justice. The Council will never kill a prisoner, they only erase their memory to put another one in. Remember that Rain.” I took three calming breaths that allowed me to think clearly.  “All right, take me to the scene.” I said with renewed strength as Ruby and I took off with the Phoenix Riders in tow.  A few minutes later we arrived at the scene and it was an ugly one for the bodies were mutilated badly.
   Ruby landed rather awkwardly for the space was small, but was large enough for me to get down from Ruby because he used his wings to stable himself. The platform was built among a small group of Yán Trees and showed signs of a much larger beast taking off because there were deep cuts in the wood. I measured the slashes to compare them with the Cathra’hulr, a much, larger Companion that is five times larger than Ruby. I walked over to the body to examine it. Ruby gazed at the body with a large eye.  I looked at the body closely touching the wounds gently. I discovered that the wounds were not normal sword wounds but smooth holes, made to look like sword wounds.  Rûne jumped down next to me as did the other Phoenix Riders.
   My master, Bayla Iylan, told a story about an incident like this that happened before we met. I drew my sword out into the open as my palms tingled.  “The murderer is still here.” I said. The Phoenix Riders also drew their swords.  “This thing that inflicted this . . . is no ordinary creature but a ruthless, cold blooded, wrath of the darkest shadows, a Fire Wrath,” I told them.  They gasped as they looked around for their enemy. A terrible cry was heard in the distance along with a dozen others’ echoing throughout the Yán Forest.
   I jumped onto Ruby’s back with my sword drawn. “Let’s get out here!” I yelled over the beasts’ roar. I caught a glimpse of it when it passed an illuminated Yán Tree in the far distance. The beast was winged like a Dragon, but it had the slick body of a Phoenix. I can tell from this distance is that its head had large jaws made for crushing. We took off toward safer air, but the sight of a massive winged beast with a shadow on its back the shadow imposed deep fear into my mind.  In my head, I shouted to Ruby, “Get us out of here!” He didn’t respond in words, but I felt his reassurance through our deep connection. Like a powerful gust of wind, he flushed the fear from my mind.  I regained my composure quickly and I yelled, “Ghî Skûl!” Light Shield! A bright light surrounded all of us.  It should protect us against dark magic that the Fire Wrath might use.  I knew some light holy magic, but not enough to kill one.  We were making good progress getting away from this ‘ambush’. The Fire Wrath are too powerful in a group, and there aren’t enough of us.
   One got too close to me. Its flaming skull-like face with burning, sickly yellow eyes, tried to plant terror into my mind. The Light Shield flared brightly taking the darkness of the Fire Wrath. The Fire Wrath gave a frustrated hiss. It reached out a half organic and half stone hand and my right palm shined when I recited, “Hônera Gheai dën jei Ghî!” Holy Palm of the Light! My palm got bright as a large flash exploded from it. The Fire Wrath screamed in terror, blinded; but I knew it was only temporary.  I knew the beast would be blind temporarily, and it banked hard away from me. It crashed into another Fire Wrath steed that was passing by it. Both of them went down toward the forest floor.
   I saw the Phoenix Riders take on several of them as they pounded my shield with dark magic, but the shield held firmly.  One of the Riders was falling behind the group.  She took on several of the Fire Wraths. “Go! Don’t help me! Just get to safety!” she yelled as she held them off, but I wasn’t letting her go that easily. After all I’m a Four Star Knight.
“Ruby turn around, we’re going after her!” I yelled. He didn’t object for he replied, “Let’s bring the rain!” I smiled. We turned around to face the Fire Wraths.  The Phoenix Rider was falling further behind. The Fire Wrath pounded the Light Shield with heavy blows.  My palms glowed brightly again as Rûne cried out “You’re crazy! You’ll get killed!” But he continued on without us. The Fire Wrath’s finally broke through the shield and overwhelmed the Rider with slashes to the torso and upper body as blood spilled forth.
   Gathering all my strength and anger, for the young ones’ death I yelled out, “Hônera Gheai dën jei Emidôr Eres!” Holy Palm of the Demigod Iris! Illuminating light glowed forth from both palms that made the darkness into daylight as Goddess, Iris, charged forward with a long staff in her right hand and the holy sword Seraphim in her left.  The Fire Wraths turned to fly away from the light, but were devoured by the light. In an instant they were turned into dust.
 The Goddess, Iris, turned her attention to the fallen Rider purging the Rider’s tainted soul and healing her wounds. The Phoenix Rider thanked me as she passed Ruby.  Ruby followed her. Ruby called to me in panic as my strength waned from the magical effort. I didn’t hear the approach of a Fire Wrath. The massive beast was catching up as the forest turned dark once more.  Ruby poured his strength into me to try to revive me.  A deep, fowl voice said “Dâr vhî h!” My thoughts seemed to be swimming in pudding.  I tried to send back a counter spell, but everything seems to be moving slow.   A faint voice was calling me from a distance away.  Ruby seemed to slow down also as the dark magic took its effect.  Then something protruded from the middle of my chest, I heard a distant scream “NO! RAIN!” Then I closed my eyes into deep sleep.
   I opened my eyes after what seemed only seconds. I looked around. It was sunny out.  I groaned with immense pain. I tried to move, but the pain was too severe.  I looked down to see my chest was wrapped with a bandage.  I seemed to be in a forest, but not the Yán Forest for the trees were smaller enough to hug. I heard birds chirping above me.  I heard something approach; I lay against the tree, helpless. It was the Phoenix Rider that I had saved, who then saved me.
   She was a Moon Elf with silver, blue hair that was combed away from her long pointy ears.  “Thanks for saving me.” she said. I grunted thanks and moved to a more comfortable position with difficulty.  “Where is Ruby?” I asked as I struggled to my feet. She kept me down with a gentle push. She explained, “Please don’t do any rigorous movement for the poison will spread faster. I managed to ward off the curse, but the dark poison remained behind as an aftereffect.” She poured water from a jar into a cup, for me.
   “Where is Ruby?” I asked again. Panic rose in my chest and my stomach felt like pit of blackness.  Her face turned sad handing me the cup, “I don’t know, after you were stabbed you fell from Ruby. I dived after you and when I touched you, and we teleported here to the Deovia Forest.”
   I looked up at her with deep sadness, unable to use words. “I’m sorry.”She whispered. Her Phoenix got near me and rubbed her beak softly against my cheek. “I’m Pandoxia.  I feel for your loss too.” she said as she lifted her head above me. Understanding, I wrapped my arms around her neck. Pandoxia lifted me up like a doll setting me in front of the fire that the Moon Elf had been tending.  I drank from the cup, the cold water refreshed me.  The Moon Elf joined us and she rested next to me “If you’re curious about my name, I’m Aixodnap, or just Axel will be fine.” She began unwinding my bandage. About midway she got up to get new ones from a bag that rested on her saddle.
   Coming back she prepped it with an unheard charm removing my old one.  The wound was ugly, it looked like a large scab with sun-like tentacles that stretched out like rays.  Instantly she slapped on the other bandage, I yelped in pain and gave her a dark look of “Careful.”  She giggled despite herself and I had to chuckle some too.  After she was done, I looked myself over flexing the hard muscles in my arms, shoulders, and stomach. 
   Everything was all right except for my soul and my chest. Ignoring the pain, I looked at my surroundings some more for this forest was young and familiar.  “Are we in the Teran Empire?” I asked her. She set up a cooking wire over the fire.  She stopped to gaze at me and said, “We are not in the Empire anymore, welcome to the Noveus Dominion.  My true home.” Taking her eyes off of me she added four slabs of meat onto the wire set. The fire hissed when some fat dripped off.
   She added a pinch of salt to it making my mouth water at the smell of the cooking meat.  “The Noveus Dominion?  That’s a long way from the Empire, at least three continents away in the Northeastern direction.” I said, taking another sip of the water.  “How long do I have before the poison reaches my organs?” finishing the last drop of water. “I don’t know but I have sent a distress charm for the Noveus to pick up.  Even flying to the nearest city would take weeks.”
“Why don’t you teleport me there and . . .” Her look of worry stopped me in midsentence.  “That’s the problem. The teleport spell took a lot of energy and the dark poison sapped my strength.  I barely had enough power to heal you with over the past six days.” She said sadly “That poison is too dangerous for me to teleport you . . . for I fear it may have mutated into a dark leech.”I was shocked “Is that possible?”  She replied truthfully “It has happened before. When a Fire Wrath attacked a Noveus, we did everything we could, including trying to teleport him to Nikroun, but that didn’t work.” She turned over the meat.  “The Noveus are quick, skilled hunters and they won’t have trouble finding us . . .” She trailed off as an arrow landed with a thump between her feet. She looked up calmly to see a troop of Noveus standing in the trees with arrows drawn.
   Axel stood slowly, helping me up to my feet. She put her hand on her heart and bowed, beckoning me to do the same. The leader of the troop jumped from his perch landing near us at a safe distance away. “Fëht ye nu aivû anïnê?”  He said in his language. Axel immediately replied, “Fehrr inŵwr heinr gwyinwë.” The leader stepped back in awe with the rest of the clan. 
Another Noveus jumped from the tree landing perfectly on the ground “Mye hiôrl?” she asked back to Axel, who replied calmly, “Venyë Iye hiôrl, tôxaaluer.” pointing at me. I clutched the middle of my chest. I felt the pain returning.  The female Noveus came up to me and put her hand on my heart. She seemed to feel the beat of my heart, which quickened slightly for the Noveus, was astoundingly beautiful. Light brown fuzz covered them from head to toe and their faces were long like a deer, with almond-shaped eyes that held knowledge and a warrior’s fire.   
   When she let go, after a few seconds, she announced “Tôxaaluer, uipoûl prŵaa!” My vision faded in and out, and my head felt light. I felt deeply cold “Axel, your charm is failing! It is spreading more rapidly!” I cried out holding my chest trying to find a way to stop it.  Axel announced it to the clan. One of them put me over her shoulder easily, and jumped up into the tree. Pandoxia called into the air and I heard the distant hiss of the fire. Darkness overtook me as I went unconscious again.   
I awoke in a strange bed without clothes!  I looked around to see that I was in a tree house with some branches poking up through the floor.  It was a beautiful room with cleverly carved wood depicting Noveus healing each other. I smiled and said to myself “I’m in a house of healing. I wonder where Axel is?”  I looked around to see a stump nearby with clothing neatly folded.  I stretched out my hand to summon them with magic until I remembered my wound! Throwing up the covers looking down on my chest, there was only a light scare there in shape of a star.
   I thought “Now for some clothes!”  Feeling magic course through my arms, I stretched out my right hand saying in Teran “Lôvena, Khûm!”  Clothes come! My palm glowed brilliantly as the pile moved toward me with a slow, steady speed right into my outstretched hand.  Ending the spell, I closed my fingers around the pile as they relaxed into their natural state. I dressed quickly. The clothing was amazingly comfortable.  It was made out of plant fibers that were dyed to a soft tan.  The shirt was long sleeved with a short ‘V’ on the backside.  On the sleeves there were small intricate shapes.  It fit me perfectly. My pants were long and two strings allowed me to tighten them around my waist.  I had no shoes to cover my feet, but I guess it was alright to go barefoot here. Walking barefoot, I left the room and came to a staircase that overlooked the large tree houses that surrounded me.  I walked down the steps, quickly to a platform that was like a balcony. As I stood there admiring the view, I heard footsteps behind me. They stopped as I turned around to see the Noveus that carried me here.  She bowed with her hand on her heart, and I greeted her the same way. She handed my sword back to me as we straightened.  “Feeling well, yes?” She asked with a heavy accent.  “Yes, quite well, thank you.” I replied bowing again. She straightened me, and I noticed that she had two fingers, and two opposing thumbs.  I fastened on my sword while she watched with interest. “Welcome Rain to Neelvuu, the largest city in all Noveus Dominion!” she said proudly raising her arms to welcome me to Neelvuu grandly.