Page 2

P ressing her bare feet into the mossy ground, Lilith breathed in the forest air and smelt the faint mixture of pine and fresh earth.

She sat beneath a large draping willow tree at the edge of her family’s property and nestled against its twisted trunk.

A cool summer’s breeze swept through, gently stirring the thin willow leaves.

The sound sparked images of rushing waves, and she leaned further back into the tree’s trunk, sighing blissfully.

Lost in daydreams, she almost missed hearing the quick snap of some branches nearby.

A small hare darted out of a cluster of overgrown ferns and stopped in front of her.

It perked its ears up and made eye contact with her.

Lilith leaned closer to it, reaching her delicate hand towards the creature. It tilted its head and sniffed the air.

“You’re okay,” Lilith said in a soothing tone, “I won’t harm you.

” The hare cocked its head up as if it understood her.

Its ears tilted and twitched, then it suddenly darted back into the thick underbrush of the forest. Lilith’s eyes followed the hare’s path and she felt a gust of coldness rising up her spine.

Something was out there. She sensed a dark energy moving through the trees, creeping closer.

Like the hare, her keen ears were listening for the faintest change.

A shadow caressed her long black hair, causing her to stand straight.

Terrified, she sprinted through the cover of the willow tree and ran down the winding path towards her home.

Her family cottage was covered in a growth of vines with spiral shoots ending in tiny cascading purple flowers.

Lilith loved its ornately arched windows and brown thatched roof.

She rushed through the front door breathlessly panting.

Looking around, every surface was covered with dusty books and scattered scrolls.

After the passing of Lilith’s mother, the house became much less organized. Thick green velvet curtains, plush couches, and fine vases were reminders of a time this house had a sense of grandeur, but now everything was covered in clutter and dust.

Lilith worked her way down a passage between towering books into the chaotic kitchen.

Her father, Cyrus, sat on one of the wooden chairs by the round table, slowly sipping his morning tea, as he attentively read a scroll.

At the hearth of the kitchen, her eldest brother, Arlen, was preparing breakfast. His shaggy black hair matched her own, a colour they had inherited from their mother.

Arlen’s build was similar to their father's, tall with broad shoulders and he had his father’s bright blue eyes.

Lilith was told she resembled her mother; she was curvy and had her mother’s smooth olive skin.

“Morning, Lilith,” Arlen greeted. He looked at her dirty feet and muddy green dress. “I see you were already out on an adventure.”

Her green eyes beamed. “Of course.” She paused to examine the small pot of porridge Arlen was stirring and continued, “ I came home because I felt something strange moving in the forest.”

“Strange?” Arlen said with concern. He put down his spoon and fully faced her. In many ways, he had overtaken the role of her mother.

Before she could answer, Jasper, her other older brother and middle child of the family, came rushing in. He threw down the newspaper on the crowded round table. “Did you hear? The king is assembling an army!” Lilith leaned over to read the story.

Kingdom’s Army to Make Frontline Defense Outside of Birchridge.

By Beatrice Bane

Since the Mages sacrificed their magic to form a protective barrier around the Void, our kingdom has been protected from the spread of the darkness seeping from the mysterious chasm that appeared fifty years ago. Since then, we have been living in a cautious hope that the Void would disappear.

Three days ago, the southern town of Birchridge was claimed by the darkness.

Initial reports put the total lives lost at 3,425 and over a thousand people are estimated to be missing.

Only six hundred people managed to successfully flee into the next neighbouring village.

Local authorities are working to prevent people from entering the affected area.

This morning, King Amadeus passed a motion to move a third of the kingdom’s military forces to the southern front. In addition, evacuation orders are in place for all citizens living in the southern territory .

Many are left wondering why the barrier suddenly failed. Others have started to view the darkness as the final reckoning of our kind…

“What does this mean, Dad? Are we in danger?” Jasper waited for his father to put down the scroll.

Cyrus, who works as an official advisor to the king, took a hefty sip of his tea and paused.

“The king is taking appropriate measures to assess the situation and take precautions to protect its citizens. This will be swiftly taken care of, so you don’t need to worry.

” He peered at the newspaper and made a disapproving face.

“Pesky Beatrice Bane, that lady will say anything to gain attention.”

“Will they close down the schools? I don’t want to miss out on my first term at Ardaven.” Lilith asked her dad.

“No, I doubt even war would stop Lord Elwin from running that school. That beast of a castle has stood for centuries and it will stand for many more to come.” Cyrus patted his daughter’s hand.

A sudden knock on the front door stopped their conversation. “A bit early for a social visit,” stated Arlen. He wiped his hands on the kitchen towel and made for the door. “Oh! Good morning, Lord Elwin."

“Lord Elwin is here?” Cyrus stood quickly and made for the front door, in the process, he knocked down a short tower of books in the hallway.

“Oh, good morning, My Lord. Please come inside.” Lilith peeked down the hallway and spotted a handsome, well kept man with long brown hair, wearing a grey silk suit.

He exuded a powerful aura. As the current Lord of Ardaven, he was viewed as one of the most powerful men in the kingdom.

His family had been stewards of Ardaven Castle, an elite magical academy.

Arlen and Jasper were in their fifth and fourth year, respectively, and had always described Lord Elwin as a stoic gentleman. Quite different from the current expression of uncertainty he wore as he shook the hand of Lilith’s father.

“Councilman Hennan. I apologize for coming unannounced, but I must act swiftly.” Lord Elwin looked around the house, pausing to give a polite nod to both Arlen and Jasper, and landed his gaze on Lilith. With a frown he continued, “You must be Lilith.”

Lilith stood frozen at the edge of the hallway. “Yes, sir.” Why does he look so angry? She thought.

“Yes, this is my youngest, Lilith. She just turned nineteen and will be attending Ardaven in the Fall.” Cyrus went to side-hug his daughter and beamed with pride.

“Sir, have Jasper or I done something wrong?” asked Arlen, who had turned a slightly reddish colour in the face.

Lord Elwin shifted on his feet.“Oh no, this visit is not of that nature. I think I must speak with you alone, Cyrus. This is a matter of urgency.”

Cyrus nodded to Arlen, who ushered Jasper and Lilith back into the kitchen and closed the door. Immediately, Jasper and Lilith pressed their ears to the door.

“Shh. You’re breathing too loud,” protested Jasper, as he nudged his sister away from the door.

“I have much better hearing than you.” She swatted at her brother’s elbow.

“You know there’s a much simpler way of going about this.” Arlen looked at his siblings and rolled his eyes. He opened his palm and cast an enchantment on the door. The voices of Cyrus and Lord Elwin became clearer.

Lord Elwin continued, “I will show you what the oracle saw…” There was a loud thump of fallen books hitting the floor, followed by an audible gasp from Cyrus.

After a few moments Lord Elwin continued.

“There is no mistake, that girl is the one.

The one next to her has to be Amiriel. He's born under the right conditions. That girl and Amiriel will…”

“Lilith, her name is Lilith.” Cyrus interjected. “From what I understand, this is just one possibility. There are many factors that could change this outcome. It may make matters worse if you meddle with such things.”

“You don’t understand.” There was panic behind Lord Elwin’s voice.

"Amiriel at his current state is a force unmatched. Well, after his emergence, the power that was unleashed… I have not seen in the likes of it. For five years, I have been working to teach him control, using suppression magic and tonics, but it’s too much for one person to handle.

Now, learning that there is another. Dual wielders of magic that exist beyond our natural limits.

There is much I fear, if we do not restore balance.

” Lord Elwin glanced at the kitchen door, taking note of the enchantment.

“It seems our conversation is not so private.”

Cyrus peered at the door and whispered an incantation. Immediately, the kitchen became quiet.

Arlen and Jasper turned to Lilith, both of them wearing identical expressions of concern. “They’re talking about you, Lilith. Your magic. Did you do something?” Jasper asked.

Lilith felt that she had an above average grasp over her magic.

She’d always had a natural affinity for picking up new incantations, but she didn’t feel out of the ordinary.

Her fear was rising as she answered her brother,“What do you mean, 'what did I do?' I’ve done nothing.” Lilith countered. “Who is this Amiriel? Do you know him?”

“Armiriel is Lord Elwin’s son. He’s in my year,” answered Arlen, who took a seat at one of the wooden chairs and started pondering to himself.

“In his first year, during his emergence he destroyed an outbuilding. He’s gifted with magic, but Lord Elwin is making it sound like his son is out of control.

I’ve not seen Lord Elwin this upset before.

Whatever he has seen, it must have shaken him for him to personally come here, and for some reason, you are the centre of his concern.

” Arlen said as his eyes narrowed on her.

Lilith felt as if she were backed into a corner. Both her brothers scowled at her. She frowned back at them and let out a sigh of frustration.

“I can’t take it. I’m just going to go in there and ask. This must be a misunderstanding.” She pushed between her siblings and went through the hallway into the entrance. Her father looked at her, shocked.

“Lilith, I told you to stay in the kitchen.” he hissed.

“We overheard you talking. Lord Elwin, you are mistaken. I am not some power hungry monster and I have control over my magic. Dad, please tell him that he’s mistaken.” Lilith bounced her stare between the two men.

Lord Elwin ran his hands through his long brown hair and sighed, “Look Cyrus, this can’t wait. I’ll do it now. It’s for the best.” Lord Elwin reached out his hands and grabbed onto Lilith’s wrist .

Lilith panicked and tried to pull away. “Please, let go. Dad, tell him to let go.”

“I’m so sorry dear…” Tears fell down Cyrus’ face. Hearing the commotion, her brothers rushed towards their sister. “No! Stay back!” yelled their father. Cyrus waved his hand, causing Arlen and Jasper to fall to their knees, paralyzed.

Lord Elwin began chanting a spell in a language Lilith was unfamiliar with.

Gooseflesh peppered her skin as the incantation took hold, followed by a burst of bright light that danced across her vision.

A pang of dizziness seized her mind, making her collapse under Lord Elwin’s clutch.

He continued repeating the rhythmic phrases.

Waves of heaviness and nausea pulsed through her body.

She begged and thrashed against Lord Elwin’s hold, but he did not let go.

With her free hand, she tried to pry her wrist free, but it was useless.

“Please. Please. I’ll do anything. Please don't do this,” Lilith begged.

Her veins felt like fire, burning her from the inside.

With every chant, the pain grew. The blazing agony was etched across her skin.

“Stop, please.” Small helpless whimpers filled the entry.

She grabbed at Lord Elwin’s leg and reached into her pool of magical mana, willing the energy into her fingers.

Droplets of magic tingled at her fingertips.

Lord Elwin scowled and pushed her down, twisting her arm around her back.

Her magic, the familiar comfort of pure energy coursing through her, was being pushed down.

Every muscle in her body tightened as she twisted to face her brothers and her dad.

Tears and snot flowed down their faces as they watched her slip into oblivion.