Revelation

Prologue

         The kingdom of Jeredyne was known as the most prosperous and blessed nation in all of Thalia. In time it grew to become the envy of all the other nations but none more so than the kingdom of Virule. Virulians lived around the Behemian Swamp and were known as the wicked, cruel, and despicable creatures in Thalia. The Virulians hated Jeredyneans more than one could imagine.
         As the sun was setting in the royal gardens of Jeredyne Castle, the royal gardener began tending to the beautiful flowers. The garden was filled with flowers of all sorts, all of them aesthetically placed to surround a beautiful water fountain that rested in the center. He was dressed in simple overalls and had a scruffy beard along with light brown hair and silver eyes. As he was fertilizing the lilies and roses, a woman wearing an onyx cloak was passing through. However, the gardener did not say a word to her. The woman continued walked forward as she reached the gates. She stood in front of two sentries. The one on the left was well-muscled holding a spear in one hand and a shield in the other. The one on the right was wielding a bow with a quiver full of arrows on his back. Yet again, the soldiers did not take notice of this woman. 
         As she pulled the gates open, they looked to see the open gates, glanced at each other strangely for a second, then simply returned to their positions. The woman found herself lightly sneering as she passed through the doors. As she entered the castle, she walked up the spiraling staircase, passed two more guards on the way. She walked by three doors and opened the fourth to see a young baby in a crib, and a beautiful maiden watching after the child. “I was expecting you,” said the maiden.
         “I suppose I should have expected that at least one of you would be able to see through my enchantment,” said the woman.
         “It has absolutely nothing to do with me, Fiora, or should I say Anabelle,” replied the maiden. 
         “Don’t you ever call me that horrid name again!” shouted Fiora, losing her temper for a moment.
         “Anyway. This room is now held by a disenchantment. Your magic will not work here,” said the maiden firmly.
         “Don’t speak rubbish to me. It’s impossible to block magic with magic. It’s a futile attempt at best,” replied Fiora
         “Do you not think it possible that while you chose the dark and easy way out, that we found a harder but more effective way,” the maiden said with a bit of fervor on her tongue. 
         Fiora’s face became flushed with red color. As she raised her hand, she commanded, “STOP!” However she was extremely disappointed when nothing happened. “A minor setback, but there are other ways to dispose of a wretch.” She said as she pulled out a dagger. “Tell me maiden, do you know the three ways to break a spell that another has cast?” asked Fiora. The maiden merely glared back in response. “The first way is with the blood of a relative. The second is to enact a spell to neutralize it. And the third is to…” she pulled out a dagger and plunged it into the maiden’s heart, “destroy the one who cast it,”
         The maiden fell to the ground instantly, as she writhed in pain until she finally died. Fiora then went over to the child and picked him up and placed her hand firmly on his head and said, “REMOVE!” She child began to glow and slowly, the glow faded from him. Before leaving, Fiora picked up the fragile child, muttered the words, “Farewell, dear sister,” and departed from the castle.

Chapter 1

         As time passed, Jeredyne slowly fell in power. By the time 17 years had passed, it was no longer recognized as a major power.  The young prince, however, lost much more than anyone, but the path he took to gain more than many started on a very fateful day. As the boy opened his eyes, he saw himself lying on an uncomfortably flat mat. As he looked up he saw that he was still in the same boring room. It was empty except for a mirror, a rug and a window. As he got up to go to the mirror he looked at his lavender-colored eyes, messy blonde hair, and slim figure all dressed in dirty rags. As he left the room he descended down into the living room. Just as he did everyday he eyed the wooden front door.
         For as long as he could remember he had never seen anything outside of this lair. Almost immediately, he charged at the door but as soon as he came within inches of the door, an invisible force plunged him into the wall. He was used to flying into the wall but he felt a very strange force. It felt different than the one guarding the door, but at the same time connected to it. The boy got up and turned himself backwards. As he was running, the force began propelling him backwards, however, in that moment he saw four pillars holding gemstones appear and generate a field of energy. As he fell against the wall, for the first time in many years knew exactly what to do. He went up to where the pillar was before and reached out his hand. The pillar appeared and released purple sparks. He placed his hand in the same spot once more but this time held on tight. As he held on, his body was searing with pain. When he pushed forward, the sparks increased again, leaving burns marks on the palms of his hands. Finally, he managed to know the pillar over. In that moment, a wind formed in the center of the room and from it a girl dressed in a green and silver tunic and who appeared to be his age appeared.
         “Hello. My name is Rosea. Thank you for breaking the wretched spell that witch cast,” said the woman.
         “Wait, how did I break the spell?” asked the boy in confusion.
         “That’s odd…you certainly seem to have an aura very similar to that of Fiora. But at the same time you don’t seem like the type to use dark arts. May I ask your name?” asked Rosea.
         “Name? I don’t have one,” said the boy.
         “Maybe that’s why I’ve been sent,” murmured Rosea. “Well would you be offended if I referred to you as Nobody?” asked Rosea.
         “Not really. It’s the truth,” said Nobody.
         “How would you like to find out your identity?” asked Rosea.
         “I’m not sure, but I’m good for anything that can get me out of this place,” said Nobody.
         “Well our first step would be to find the Auracle. They live outside the edge of Virulia, barely within the Remnants,” said Rosea.
         “If it’s they, shouldn’t it be the Auracles?” asked Nobody.
         “It’s kind of complicated, but I do have some good news. I just figured out why your aura is so similar to Fiora’s,” said Rosea.
         “Hm?” he asked.
         “She must have put some kind of spell on you. A very powerful one that is not easily broken. Think of yourself as a walking enchantment, giving off an aura almost exactly like Fiora’s. It also explains why you were able to break her spell. While enchanted by her, it almost worked as if she was trying to undo the spell that prohibits unauthorized passage in her lair,” said Rosea.
         “I have one last question before we depart. If there are only three ways to break a spell, then how will the Auracle be able to help?” asked Nobody.
         “Those rules apply to one’s magical ability alone. In truth, there may be thousands of ways to break a spell. There are powers that exist outside the range of people. The first rule of magic is that there is more to this world than what we can see. There are powers both greater and lesser than magic in this world,” said Rosea. She then proceeds to pull out a clear cut crystal pendant and places it around her neck, covering it with her tunic. “Are we ready?”
         “I believe so,” said Nobody.
         As they walk through the doors, the sight outside is unbelievable. The street was one long market composed of countless merchandise.  There were vendors selling black magic potions, slaves, prostitutional services from people dressed in scandalous clothing, kegs of ale, and other debaucheries as well.
         “What is this place?” asked Nobody.
         “This is The Market. Currently we are in Cindrek, the only city in this country of Virulia. It has seven levels, each controlled by a particular faction. This particular level is under the influence of the Lyrites,” explained Rosea.
         “But how are there so many levels?” asked Nobody.
         “The majority of Cindrek is located underground. This is only the surface and the farther down you go into Cindrek, the more wicked it gets. The main house so n this level form a ring on the outside but the rest of it is The Market,” replied Rosea. She was about to continue until she felt some heavy pressure in her stomach. She began to lightly sweat as the pressure made it more difficult to breathe.
         “Look at what I see here,” said a very deep female voice.
The two of them were so caught up in their conversation they didn’t notice the tall woman that had appeared in front of them. She was wearing a blood red dress that draped onto the floor and wore an onyx brooch across the nape of her neck. Her coarse black hair was  dressed in a bun while a curl on each side tucked behind her ears.
         “Who are you?” asked Nobody.
         “Quite an ironic question coming from you, but I will tell you regardless. I am Julienna, Head of the White Raven Faction, but more importantly I am an extremely powerful witch … which brings me to why I am here … to protect the interests of my former apprentice,” stated Julienna.
         “Fiora?” questioned Rosea.
         “Indeed. I cannot very well let nameless princes run amuck,” said Julienna. 
         “Prince?” shouted Nobody and Rosea simultaneously.
         “Well it won’t matter now. I’ll shut both of you back in that lair with a spell that not even the strongest magician could hop to break,” declared Julienna.
         “Not if I have anything to say about it,” Rosea muttered under her breath. She pulled the pendant out and glanced into it, looking at her reflection. Her snow white hair soon turned black like the witch’s, the tunic she wore turned into a sleek black suit equipped with various weapons.
         “Ah. I was wondering when I’d get to see you Ivoria. It’s been awhile,” Julienna said smirkingly.
         “I’m not here to play games witch,” Ivoria declared harshly.
“As you wish,” Julienna replied as she conjured a bolt of lightning from the palm of her hand at her opponent. Ivoria nimbly rose into the air dodging the attack. As she descended, she pulled out a kunai blade and slung it towards Julienna. In response, Julienna raises her hand and it stops. A cold, dark stillness fills the air, as Ivoria is stopped in mid-air. The Market is no longer hustling and bustling with business, all movement, time, everything ceases. Julienna draws closer to Ivoria and snaps her fingers. A violent scream is released from Ivoria’s mouth as soon as she realizes that only hear head and mouth can move.
         “Why can’t I move?” she asks aggressively.
         “Because you’re frozen dear. I simply desire a chat with you. It’s been quite a while since I last saw you,” said Julienna.
         “LET ME GO NOW” she shouted at the top of her lungs with blazing fire in her eyes.
         “Oh, don’t be so hasty. I’m not going to kill you…yet. I’m simply interested in why you help this hopeless child,” said Julienna casually. 
         “I don’t care for that boy,” said Ivoria.
         “Ah, now I understand. Because Rosea cares for him, you wish to help her. So you associate yourself with him only through her, is that right? Just keep in mind that I was the one that made you and just as easily I have the power to destroy you. Well until next time,” she said as she vanished in a thin white mist.
         At that moment, everything began moving instantly once more. The Market was once again moving with restless customers and as Ivoria continued falling her hair slowly changed back to its snow white color and as she hit the ground, she was Rosea once again. As soon as she got up, Nobody asked her, “What happened?”
         “It’s nothing to concern yourself with,” she replied with a voice as cold as ice.