Auvreria Read online

  The Final Battle takes three hundred thousand years to happen. By then, the soul of the guardian becomes fully united with the universe. Auvreria decides the successor to guard its power. I am the next one. Even though it sounds glorious to be the chosen one, danger and great responsibility will be my lot. I went to all the oracles preparing for my role. I will not come back again in material form. I will be a soul while I guard for many millennia. Then I will reach a state of perfection, a state that words cannot describe. This will be an endless cycle until all the souls will become part of the new journey.

  I had nothing to say to that. In the everyday world, people are considered nothing but a working force for the economy, social affairs, and government. We do have a purpose, but the journey is different for everyone walking the path. Every religion helps us attain higher goals in bringing ourselves closer to what we believe. It is the language of our hearts striving to make us see a path beyond our desires toward the well-being of our soul. It brings us closer to a connection with the universe.

  The compass pointed to a hidden mountain valley. I noticed a humble town that appeared deserted. Nightfall was approaching; I climbed up the rocks away from the town toward a temple. Inside, an old monk was waiting. He wore dark garments and a serious expression.

  “I am Huang, one of the last to practice the dark element. All the people have fled but you and your dragon. I see time has come for a change. I will teach you all I know so you may gain your treasure.”

  “When shall we start?”

  “We need to journey to the Omjang temple where the element is practiced. We shall depart now to reach the Kunlun Mountains before sunrise.”

  Huang gathered supplies for our journey. I put them on Aurora’s back. The monk decided to travel on a horse through the isolated valleys to the temple. Aurora and I travelled through the skies while Huang galloped on land with his horse. I observed the slowly rotating stars as the cold air formed and reformed the violet clouds above. When we grew tired of being airborne, we set camp.

  While I ate a warm bowl of soup, I asked the monk questions about their legends. Aurora lay coiled on her belly on the ground. “Do your stories say anything about a phoenix?”

  “What is a phoenix?”

  “It is a type of special bird that appears very rarely to people.”

  “Ah, yes, you are speaking of Fenghuang? It is the ruler of all the birds. It comes during good times and hides during times of trouble.”

  “When does it appear?” I gazed at the distant mountains.

  “It appears from the deep Kunlun Mountains to start a new era. It is the bird of peace and prosperity.”

  “How is it connected to the dragon?”

  “Every generation, a new emperor arrives. The emperor has the power of the dragon to rule the people. Fenghuang stays if the emperor is free of corruption and evil. It leaves otherwise.”

  “Can we do anything to bring it to us?”

  “The bird is gentle and is believed to eat the morning dew to not cause damage to any animals or plants. Only a flower purified by a strong soul can make the bird come.”

  I said goodnight to Aurora and Huang, took out a sheet of cotton, and slept on it with my green cloak covering me.

  When we arrived at dawn at the magnificent temple, I was taught by Huang and his magicians. On my break from class, I decided to walk along the gardens of the beautiful temple. I picked a white lily and put it in my hair. Autumn had come with its dark and warm colors. I sat on the branches of a high tree to observe the sky. I wondered how the Final Battle would go.

  Aurora flew above me with immense speed and gained altitude as her wings stretched to the light. She sensed my thoughts. You are worried?

  Yes. There are many questions and answers that can’t disappear out of my head.

  The time will come, and you will see that after the darkest night the sun will rise again.

  What if Maldelsoul does gain what he wants? He is the strongest magician that one would imagine. The fate of the universe can’t just depend from one person. What if the war would destroy the whole Clamoor Clan? Maldelsoul has the two medallions. Our plan is ruined. There are no chances for our victory.

  One petal falls. The tree lives and never falls.

  She disappeared from view as she glided into the morning mist. I was shocked that Aurora knew the phrase that Estrella had told me. I picked the lily from my hair and put it on my palms. I repeated the phrase. It transformed into a lotus and became purified.

  I heard the gong vibrate. I put the lotus away and ran to class. When I was ready, I came to the Jo-Shun Mountains to earn the gem, and so I ended my studies for the six elements in the realm of Aethra.

  Ancient China, the valley of the shadows

  3,000 years B.C.E.

  As I looked off to the dark horizon, clouds as thick as mountains moved through the peach-colored sky. The mountains were going into a deep sleep as the glowing light faded from the pink cherry tree next to which I was meditating. The wind gently lifted my hair as the forces of darkness acquired full strength in my body. I was resting on top of a flat rock on a cliff higher than the mountains. In this mystical world of the past I had learned to master one of the elements of the universe. I felt fine; neither altitude, nor pressure, nor temperature affected me as long as I had my green cloak.

  I saw the spirits of shadow seek out the faintest light they could consume. The valley glowed with magic. Tojan Lake sparkled like a million crystal moon pebbles. The stars were the only source of light in the valley. The constellations were striking against the gloomy land. Impossible to go back to where I had started—I had to get what I had come for.

  The Omjang temple relied on me to obtain the gem of darkness. As I moved my hands in a circular way, shadows started whirling out of my marked, glowing palms. The darkness became tangible. It spread out into the sky like a drop of paint on the surface of water.

  No moon—good, I thought. There is enough power for the return of the white phoenix. I will receive the gem of darkness for my medallion if I pass this challenge. A strong wind shifted the violet clouds. A bright white light appeared just at the edge of the cliff.

  The phoenix glided down from the sky. Her body was covered with the symbols of Auvreria inlaid lightly with gold, silver, and precious gemstones. The bird of balance appeared right in front of my eyes. Her skin was pale white, her beak sharp and thin, and her wings resembled those of an angel. She ate the lotus on my hand. As a gift of appreciation and fulfillment, the phoenix gave away one tear. It dropped to my hand, and the bird flew away into the depths of the luminescent sky.

  The tear on my hand hardened into a perfect black gemstone. As I put the gem into the necklace, intense magic sprang up. Six elemental gemstones in my medallion were already present. Two spaces were left to finish the medallion. When it all came together, my next destination would be the center of the universe. I would protect the power of the ninth element from being used to destroy all existence. My knowledge of the eight elements of Auvreria would help me with this task.

  All the colors of the rainbow poured out of the medallion. I saw a glimpse of my sister, Aurora, before I disappeared. Specks of magic circled me until I appeared in a new world, a place only told of in tales and legends. I was getting closer to the Final Battle between good and evil. I waited in wonder for the turning points of my future.

  The Tree of Life, the journey to the Astral realm

  The present day

  The journey took me back to the Tree of Life for a third time. I appeared in a wooden chamber within the tree, dressed in my elven clothes. I looked out through the opening in the outer wall. Hundreds of empty tents were visible, but no human or animal came into view. Terror overcame me when I noticed Mortver’s symbol everywhere. Maldelsoul had probably broken the barrier to let outsiders enter without the medallions. I moved with haste toward an arch near the spiral staircase opposite the window.

  From the grand chamber, I looked down the
staircase and saw Aurora with Elfeon. Within seconds I was down on the same level. My eyes filled with tears of joy. I embraced Elfeon; he had taken material form.

  “I thought you died!”

  “I did, and I did not,” he said. “The third journey of your life has come. When Mother Nature showed you the history of our past, you had begun your journey of the past in Arthaesia. Weeks ago, you found the Tree of Life, which was destined to be my home. That day you started the journey of the present in Aethra. You have found six gems for your medallion. I can now give you the two gems of time and energy. Your challenge will be to walk through your third journey of the future in Astral. You will find the center of the universe held within the three galaxies.”

  “How will I know where this place is? What if the Final Battle has already started? Where is everyone? Are we too late?”

  This time Aurora answered. Sister, your pure soul will guide you. The Final Battle awaits us—we must fulfill our path. Mortver and the Clamoor Clan await us. The war of ages has begun with alliances of souls in material and spiritual existence. I calmed down a little. I noticed the same flute I had seen in Eofea was now in Elfeon’s hands.

  “You left this in my homeland,” he said. “This flute belongs to Aurora. I should have known that when you couldn’t play it.”

  As he gave the flute to Aurora, she transformed into her human body. She had long white hair and a flowing pearl dress. When her soft hands came into contact with the wooden flute, it turned into silver. She played it like an angel. I felt as if I were listening in on heaven. When she stopped playing, I wondered if I would ever hear it again.

  “The Tree of Life is connected to the center of Auvreria,” said Elfeon. “All the power here is located at the bottom where the golden symbol of Auvreria lies carved in the wood. The center, otherwise, is located at the top of a mountain. The mountain holds the ninth element and its power.”

  Aurora added, “Never take hold of the ninth element. I know you are part of the white dragon, but the power can erase you from existence if your spirit is not strong enough. Only the white or black dragon can take hold of it. I am sacrificing myself so I can seal the power for eternity. Yes, little sister, we will separate physically, but I will be part of you and Auvreria.”

  The time had come. Aurora kissed Elfeon on the cheek, and we said goodbye to him. We stood at the center of the symbol. It is always in this precise place that I start my journeys. Aurora asked me to hold her hands. The next time, she said, they would be held by the opposing force. With that confusing statement, we teleported to the Astral realm.

  The center of Auvreria, the universe

  The Final Battle

  Sparkling mist descended from the endless skies. The stars made luminous dust. Galaxies revolved around one another. I flowed gracefully through the cosmos near planets, fast comets, and gigantic supernovas. My soul became one with Astral. The universe was infinite, boundless, and continuous. I examined and explored, but I could not see the center.

  The spirit of Livaunde had told me to look within my soul to open my reasoning beyond its boundaries. I tried to feel the inner connection between the cosmos and me. I gently closed my eyes. Stardust smoothly covered my spirit. I had no idea if this would work.

  I was standing on a rocky, dark plateau. It seemed to be night, but the illumination from the skies lit the far-off valley. I looked at the distant Final Battle between Mortver and the Clamoor Clan. I could see the alive and dead people and creatures below. The fallen stood with the alive as equals. The stone battlefield was tremendous compared to the Great Castle of Arthaesia. The dark lands surrounded it. Both sides were seen as figures of shadows standing motionlessly. There was utter silence. The warriors confidently stared at their enemy, hiding their desire and anger. Among the Clamoor Clan, I saw Almag, Mother Nature, Orenelius, Liliamera, Silvius, Magdalion, the elves, Fensagenia, Zekreon, Grealn, and the others. I did not see Aurora.

  Maldelsoul rode his majestic black dragon. His body was enveloped in metal armor. The dragon roared viciously to instill fear into its opponents. Mortver’s leader waited quietly in front of his army. He cast dark shadows to obscure the faint light. Following him were Clarimie, Arthaesia’s people, most of the lords from Clamoor, evil spirits brought back to life, demons, and his loyal group of magicians. When Maldelsoul began his speech, I knew he sensed my return.

  “The final war has begun. The old and new eras have gathered to fight rightfully for the power of the cosmos. Clamoor Clan, where are your leaders? Where is the person of prophecy given by the destiny of Auvreria? Come on the battlefield, Anelia and your faithful dragon, Aurora! Where is your support for your people? You see, Clamoors, your only hope of victory has abandoned you in the final war between us!”

  Fear and horror came to my soul with these words. I was scared beyond death to face the importance of my fate. I could not walk out there pretending to be a hero. I could not find my inner courage. I glanced at my medallion with all its gems. I had come a very long way for the ninth element. I needed to put the medallion back where it came from. If Aurora was to be lost in the Astral world again, I would have to seal the power before Maldelsoul could fully grasp it. In the distance rode Fensagenia, Grealn, and Zekreon.

  “We will fight for Anelia and Aurora with our strength, heart, and love,” said Fensagenia.

  “We will serve in the absence of our friend,” said Grealn. They raised their swords.

  “We will charge for what you monsters have done to them,” said Zekreon. “We are one, and we are all sisters and brothers!”

  They set out galloping towards Mortver. Maldelsoul motioned for his army to charge. Two parts became a whole within seconds. I could not bear to watch this, so I ran towards the mountain. I used the element of air to fly to the top. There was a wide, circular platform that resembled the symbol of Auvreria. A small podium stood in the middle with wide columns, ornamented floors, and golden flowers. I noticed two medallions set into recesses in the platform. I knew what that meant: he was here, too. Confusion overcame my fear.

  “How nice it is to see you,” said Maldelsoul slowly behind me. I did not turn around. I breathed deeper to gain control. He started walking past me while he gazed at the horizon. “It was easy to make them believe that silhouette was me. How foolish these people are. Their perspective is a haze over their eyes that lets them see what they prefer to see. It is marvelous to observe each one’s original perspective on the world.

  “They are young, blind, newborn birds that are only a moment in the history of the universe. Their nonexistent sight twists their minds into strong knots that are not untied for the rest of their lives. They endure living their lives under the destiny’s enigma. Some may never cease to exist by the power of the universe. Others are rewarded for being the chosen ones.”

  In the dim light, Maldelsoul gazed at my eyes. He shifted his glance to the podium and to the battle down below.

  “And now I see you have the finished medallion. Let us start unlocking the power of the ninth element, so you can be the next guardian.”

  Maldelsoul teleported my medallion to its place in the podium. I ran as fast as I could to stop it, but nothing could be done. The energy field from the three medallions rose to a high intensity. The ninth element was being revealed. This power was so great that I could hardly see the battle down below. Maldelsoul took his place near the podium opposite from me.

  He cried, “I do not want you to be erased from existence—hold my hands. The white and black dragons can safely unlock this power.” I had no choice; the energy was engulfing me. I understood what Aurora had foretold. The light of millions of stars shone in the center high above the medallions until a single point appeared above the podium. It glowed peacefully.

  “I cannot take the power of the universe,” I said. “This is not my destiny. I cannot take hold of something greater than myself.”

  “I give you the chance to grasp the power, for it will be mine forever if you do no
t,” whispered Maldelsoul. He knew that Aurora was the destined guardian. He wanted me to suffer before he crowned himself lord of all. I could not run away this time. I had to take the place of my sister; everything depended on it. I must sacrifice myself to Auvreria. It would buy some time before the true guardian came.

  I walked onto the center of the symbol. I raised my hands to hold the center of the universe. Maldelsoul smiled. A surge of energy almost threw him from the grand platform. The ninth element made me feel the real connection among all that was present. I felt the ground, the mountains, the valleys, all the distant realms, and the infinite cosmos as a whole. I finally understood the simple secret of the ninth element—it was the connection to everything in Auvreria.

  My life energy began to dissipate, fires were destroying me, and the weight of the power had overtaken my soul. I would be exterminated forever, my spirit would not exist, and evil would wipe out the universe. I couldn’t last long. I flew out of the podium to the corner of the platform. My hope was lost, and my life was slipping away along with the blood that flowed from my wounds. I lay down as Maldelsoul rose to receive his hard-won element.

  “Since the beginning I have advised you to not make a sacrifice to anything you love. Arthaesia fell, the Clamoor Clan will be destroyed, the other worlds are under my influence, and the universe will be destroyed permanently!”

  Before he could hold the center of balance, a sudden flash of light emerged from the point. It threw him off, but he remained standing. The image of a white dragon appeared, and before us stood Aurora in her human form in white robes. The point of balance hung a few feet above her head.

  “The prophecy of the white dragon who is the guardian of Auvreria is complete. The guardian will seal the power of the ninth element from good and evil. Auvreria will forever exist in balance!” As she spoke, she looked at Maldelsoul. It took all my strength to remain conscious.