Year 70.1

  *The Veiled Glade, Some call it the world tree. Elves call it home. Its canopy covers most of the city below. Most of the city has been converted into Military training grounds as most of the population was sent into hiding. In the South West quarter is the Residential zone, where the Summer Sun’s morning rays beam down through the branches. As some elves head home for the day, the next shift begins to wake up as the animals and spirits begin to stir.*

  *The summer birds sing, waking Emma, her short light blue hair points in every direction, she sits up and turns to Lily across the room in a bed up high, watching the rest of the room.*

  Emma(TL): *Smiles* Morning, Lily.

  *Lily stretches out her body, her purple scales shine through her green fur a little as the light hits her. *

  Lily: Morning, Mama. *Yawn* How’d you sleep?

  Emma(TL): Terrible.

  Lily: Nightmares again?

  Emma(TL): Yeah, same as always.

  *The sound of footsteps climbing stairs rapidly approaches the door, and Ariella bursts through the door.*

  Ariella: EMMA!

  *Emma and Lily hop up, Emma calls her blades to her with her telekinesis.*

  Emma: What’s wrong?!

  *Ariella leaps into Emma’s arms, sobbing. Lily calms down and Emma floats her blades away as she grabs hold of Ariella by the shoulders and looks into her blue eyes.*

  Ariella: Mother said we can’t go.

  Emma: *Disappointed* Really? You know the prophecy started this year. I can barely get sleep on a good day, and this is how you wake me up? *Sigh* I’ll buy you one later.

  *Ariella jumps up and down, cheering. Emma rolls her eyes when Valorin pokes his head in.*

  Valorin: Did you tell her?!

  Ariella: Yeah. *Sniff*

  *Ariella smiles and turns to Valorin.*

  Ariella: Emma said she’d get us some.

  Emma: You make as much as me! Why don’t you just buy it?

  Ariella: Because. You know I don’t spend money on sweets. I wanted to start saving more.

  Emma: Then just don’t have cake!

  *Both look at Emma in shock, mouths a gap.*

  Emma: *Rubs forehead* I just woke up. Can I have a little peace beforehand?

  Both: Sorry.

  *Both leave the room, closing the door behind them. Emma looks to Lily, takes a deep breath, and smiles*

  Emma: Now. Let’s try this again.

  *As Emma leaves her parents' home, both Valorin and Ariella wait for her just out front, and they all walk toward the Capitol tree. Reaching Ariella’s office, Valorin falls back into a couch and Emma sits down at her desk in the corner. *

  Valorin: Gods, I’m gonna miss this place.

  Emma: What do you mean?

  Ariella: Yeah, you’re not leaving us, are you?

  Valorin: No, no.

  *Valorin quickly sits upright, waving his hands.*

  Valorin: I mean, even if we win the fight, we all know there will be casualties.

  *Everyone pauses, looking down in silence. A sudden knock at the door breaks the silence, and Ariella jumps a little before clearing her throat.*

  Ariella: Who is it?

  *A male voice calls out, but it’s muffled slightly.*

  Emma: *Rolls eyes and smiles* Valorin, can you get that?

  *Valorin hops up and opens the door, bowing down as Queen Seraphina walks into the room. Her assistant struggles to hold a large pile of papers as he drops them onto Ariella’s desk.*

  Ariella: *Irritated* What’s all this?

  Seraphina: Don’t worry, Emma is helping you. I need you two to help with the complaints. Valorin is more than welcome to help. Trust me. I have my share of this as well. But your father wanted to work on morale before the end of the year.

  *Emma lifts a small toy flag.*

  Emma: *Sarcastically* Yay.

  Seraphina: All we’re doing is sorting. You’ll have to stay late today.

  *Emma looks at Ariella.*

  Emma: You never did tell me why your mother said you couldn’t have cake…

  *Ariella clears her throat as she ushers her Mother out of the room, closing the door behind her.*

  Ariella: *Nervous laugh* Well, maybe we still can. If we get to work early. Goodbye mother!

  *Seraphina’s laughter can be heard through the door as she walks down the hall.*

  *As night falls, the doors open, Goren and Bubba enter the room, and Bubba lets out a chirp when he sees Emma.*

  Emma: *Bored* Hi Dad.

  Ariella: Good afternoon, Mr. Silvashade. What brings you two by?

  Goren: Just here to pick up Emma and Lily.

  *Lily stretches before hopping on Bubba’s back, where she curls up and goes back to sleep.*

  Emma: I’ll be home soon.

  Ariella: We’ll be finished soon. We’re on the last pile

  *Ariella points to a small stack of papers. Goren heads over to Valorin, who’s asleep on the couch.*

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Goren: That’s fine. I’ll get this big guy out of the way for you.

  *Goren smacks Valorin's foot, and he flails his arms before falling onto the ground.*

  Valorin: Who the!? Oh SHIT! OW!

  *Everyone laughs. Valorin stands up with Goren’s assistance, rubbing the back of his head.*

  Valorin: Sorry, I told you both. Paperwork puts me to sleep.

  Ariella: That’s why we gave you less.

  Emma: It’s less slack we have to pick up. *Grins*

  Valorin: I’ll let you have that one. *Yawns* I gotta get to bed. I’ll see you two in the morning.

  *As the four leave, Ariella stretches and whispers for Emma’s attention.*

  Ariella: Pssst.

  Emma: *Smiles* Yes, Arie?

  Ariella: Should I order us some Energy Pods?

  Emma: Yes, please!

  *Ariella calls for her assistant, they run off and bring them some tea cups, some hot water, and a clear jar full of the multicolored, jelly-like, see-through balls.*

  Emma: Get me a Pink one.

  Ariella: I know, you don’t like the bitter ones.

  *Ariella scoops out a deep blue, hardly see-through, and a pink one with a spoon and places them into the cups. Emma walks over and fills the cups with hot water, and the balls melt into the water.*

  Emma: I don’t see how you can like it that bitter. Yet you make fun of my food choices.

  *Ariella takes a drink and smiles.*

  Ariella: That’s because only you try those food ideas. Lots of people from all races enjoy Energy Pods.

  Emma: And plenty of people eat monsters.

  Ariella: Most of them live in the wild.

  *Emma rolls her eyes and smiles as she drinks. *

  *As Emma returns to her family home, she is met with cake and cheers. Keya, Isabelle, and Goren have decorated the house to surprise Emma.*

  Everyone: Surprise!

  Emma: *Blinks* What’s all this?

  Keya: I told Dad we should celebrate your birthday. Since it might be our last chance.

  *Emma tears up as the family gathers into a group hug*

  Emma: I love you guys. *Smiles*

  Goren: We figure, even if we aren’t there for your Century Day. Then this will have to do.

  *After eating, the family all sit in the Common area. Goren hands a small box to Keya and then to Emma.*

  Goren: *At Keya* What? You thought you were getting out of this?

  Keya: What is it?

  Goren: Wait. I want you two to open them together.

  *Upon opening the box, Emma pulls out a necklace with a crystal attached. Upon putting it in the light, Emma can see a picture of her family. Isabelle, Goren, Keya, and Sarah all sit next to a carriage.*

  Isabelle: The old man might not be as angry as he once was, but he still knows how to make a proper keepsake.

  Emma: Hakhir made this?

  Keya: How did he make it?

  Emma: It’s a memory crystal. If you apply an empty one to your forehead, you can apply a memory to it.

  Keya: Why have I never heard of them before?

  Emma: *Looks to Isabelle* Because, only Mithrun has these… You were talking to him before they got here. How long have you two been planning this?

  Goren: I asked Hakhir, back when you first started talking about your dreams…

  Isabelle: We’ve chosen to believe that even if we die, it’s to protect you two. And that’s more than enough for us. I may not have given birth to you two, but I see you as daughters to me. I know things have always been weird between you and me, Emma. But I wanted you to always have a way to remember where you come from.

  *Emma nods as she holds back her tears. The family gathers for another group hug.*

  *Emma lies in bed, using candlelight to look at the crystal’s picture. Lily hops onto the bed and looks at it with her.*

  Lily: These Seers really need to hurry up.

  Emma(TL): Why? I mean, yeah, the year is more than half over, and still no sign. But I’d rather end up wrong and hated than find out they just decided to wait.

  Lily: *Yawns* We haven’t even heard of them. Even less so after you closed off the entrance.

  Emma(TL): How about you and I go on patrol then?

  Lily: Where? Everywhere outside the glade is abandoned. And we receive weekly reports from scouts.

  Emma(TL): Fine, then let’s head to the crown. I can ask Seraphina if we can go and look out.

  Lily: Yeah! It’s been so long since we last saw the city from the canopy!

  *Lily hops around and Emma places the necklace on the nightstand next to her, before putting out the candle and lying down to sleep.*

  *The next morning, Emma and Lily reach the top of the canopy. There is a small lookout with a tall pole and a small bird's nest on top. They find a male elf with green eyes and a shaved head. He sits in a chair next to a table, beside a spyglass. He blinks his eyes as he breaks concentration.*

  Elf: I wasn’t expecting anyone Is something wrong below?

  Emma: No. *Smiles* I got permission to come up and scout the crown for any far sightings.

  Elf: *Reaches out a hand* Well, the name’s Jake.

  Emma: *Shakes hand* Emma.

  Jake: I might not mingle with everyone else, but I know about you. The Leawk incident was not something I was prepared for.

  Emma: *Embarrassed* Sorry, I’ll fully admit, I could’ve paid more attention. *Nervous laugh*

  Jake: Well, if you’re here, then how about you let me rest and you two take over.

  Emma: That’s fine with us.

  *Emma looks at Lily on her shoulder and smiles. Jake whistles, and a small mouselike spirit soon comes running to him. They both sit in the nearby hut and close their eyes.*

  Emma: Well? Lily you ready?

  *Lily nods before running off into the branches. Emma uses her Sightshare to watch what Lily sees. She runs trough the branches, poking her head out occasionally to see what is happening below. Emma watches as she spots Ariella training her troops. Emma smiles as she watches through Lily’s eyes until she feels a pressure to the Southeast. She turns, but can’t see anything. She watches the other elves through Lily’s eyes.*

  Emma thinking: Did I imagine it?

  Emma(TL): Lily, did you feel that?

  Lily: *Stops moving* Feel what Mama?

  Emma(TL): Something powerful to the South East.

  Lily: I’ll go check it out.

  *Lily quickly runs through the canopy, stopping on the southern side of the canopy. She pokes her head out and looks off into the distance. Seeing nothing but trees and hills in the distance.*

  Lily: Not seeing anything.

  *Emma grabs hold of the spyglass and climbs to the top, almost knocking the nest over, as she notices a large flock of bird-like spirits swiftly flying out of the forest. She watches as the birds get closer and closer, until the sun's rays become blocked by the moon's, as the light bounces between them, it bathes the Entire city in a red glow, Emma heads down below after waking Jak,e and they run into Ariella on her way to find answers.*

  Emma: Would your dad know anything?

  Ariella: I don’t know, I’m not even sure where he is.

  *Goren runs past, further down the hall.*

  Emma: DAD!

  *Goren turns around and calls for them both to follow him. They enter a large conference room where Goren sits on one side and Seraphina on the other, between them sit the many other high-ranking officials. Giovanni raises his hand to silence the room and signals for the three to sit down.*

  Giovanni: First and foremost, we don't know what it is. The fact that Emma is here and fine fills me with hope that this is a natural phenomenon we’ve never experienced.

  *A male elf with blue eyes stands up and has short, chestnut hair.*

  Elf: *Irritated* Don’t give us that.

  *Everyone looks to the Elf.*

  Elf: You’ve been telling us all year to be prepared! The sky turns red, and suddenly you have no clue?! So stop sweetening the pot and serve us the damn info!

  *Giovanni sighs. Seraphina and Emma go to stand, but Giovanni raises his hand as he stands. *

  Giovanni: According to everything we know, they’ll be attacking us during an eclipse of some grand caliber, but we still haven’t received any visual, sound, or physical evidence that the Seers are even attacking. So double patrol while it passes. *Turns to the elf.* If you believe this is the seers, then you can lead your troops on a scouting trip, Henry…

  *Henry sits down as Seraphina goes to speak.*

  Seraphina: My question is. When did the moons get there? I’ve never seen all four during the day. And why red of all colors?

  *Emma goes to speak but is stopped again by Giovanni.*

  Giovanni: For now, let’s get teams on all sides. Any sign of movement should be treated as a threat; sound the alarm, even if it costs you your life.

  Emma: I SAW SOMETHING COMING FROM THE SOUTH!

  Giovanni: WHAT?! WHY ARE YOU JUST NOW SAYING THIS?!

  Emma: Because you wouldn’t let me speak! I couldn’t tell what it was, but it stopped just out of the city limits in the southeast. It might be the cause of the moons.

  Giovanni: More than likely. Clay.

  *A large, muscular, orange-eyed, black-haired elf stands up*

  Giovanni: Go check it out. For now, we need Emma to stay here. We need to keep an eye on her.

  Emma thinking: I know what you mean, but ouch.

  *Clay salutes before running off. *

  Giovanni: *Rubs forehead* Speak to me, Emma, any weird seer visions or something?

  Emma: I felt a large Pressure before I sighted them, and it seems not even Lily felt it.

  Goren: Lord Giovanni, I’m going to go get Keya and Captain Isabelle.

  *The sound of an Alarm in the distance rings out across the capital*