1 The Device

The stone masonry of the castle of Torchwall looked over the cliff sides of the island and down into the depths of the marine blue ocean below, a long shadow of what seemed like guilt. The chalky rocks at the end of the cliff stood weary and the sky was a shade of dark blue and swirls of pastel blue and white dotted across the blackness. An owl hooted up in a tree not far from the castle itself, probably out to feed it's young and nest in the bushes and leaves. People of all ages were packing up their belongings and the market stalls with fresh fruits and goods were being packed away for the night. Dodgy traders and bandits remained, lurking the streets for victims to persuade them to buy their "goods". Bandits were a threat to the civilians, but there was no stopping them, as they wondered doing their own thing for the length of the night. A dark looming shadow casted over the castle like an ancient spell, plunging it into a view of a large outlined building from afar, making whoever was travelling to see it in the distance believe it was almost made of black chalk, a huge shadow of spikes and towers looming in the dark horizon. A prolonged and grey cloud swirled over the town as if to tell the mood of the townsfolk and the people living within the walls. Today of all days, was the worse day that could have possibly been experienced. It was as if all the happiness and joy of the world had been stolen, and the grey cloud being a presence that would simply just snatch it away. As King Rodrigue tiptoed up the steep and mossy stone steps of Torchwall castle he took a deep breath and held his sword closein the pouch on his waist. He looked up to see the moon shimmering and drowning the land in light as the grey cloud shifted out of the way. A few lanterns were standing on the grand steps, every ten steps or so, illuminating the casting and long shadow of Rodrigue as he got closer to the top. His mind was racing and a small hunger lingered in his stomach. He had many questions and luckily for him, was going to eat while they were all answered. Pure botanical flowers sat in hanging straw baskets, as if birds in a nest. They swung lightly in the dark nighttime air and the flowers brushed along its twig crossings. Rodrigue entered the castle, passing through the gates at the top of the steps and making his way into the first great hall. The warm air rushes over him like a heat wave and he found it rather enjoyable. He looked around to see a staircase on his left that went up for a while, spiralling and steep. At the top of them he saw a small sign hanging on a ledge. He was too far down to make out the words on it, the letters just looking like faint squiggles in the dim lantern lights. He started up the stairs, his chest heaving with nervousness. He was going to see them again. After years of isolation in his own kingdom, he was about to meet the other royals. These thoughts raced around his mind like a ring around Saturn, each and every thought biting him with nerves. As he reached the top, the castle echoed and it was a large stone hallway, a long red carpet stretching down at all ends. Many paintings on the walls resembled people whom had once had a fair deal with the castle, some young and old, some male and female, they were ominous none the less and Rodrigue felt as if they were staring at him, moving their eyes left and right and shaming him for even entering these castle walls. It was all a part of the nerves. He turned around to see the sign in front of him, a big wooden board with the words,

"Down the hall to the right. Royal meeting between the three royals of the island. Do not engage."

Rodrigue knew this sign was probably directed to other people such as the servants, village folk that came bearing gifts and most likely even animals. They couldn't read though and Rodrigue face palmed. He brushed his long and flowing silky cape behind him and walked on down the halls, and to the right as instructed. He came out a large stone archway and a small garden. The garden was brimmed with beautiful golden and red roses, each in hanging baskets and large stone pits that had a bunch of the flowers in them. A few table and chairs sat in the light, some wet with rain and some covered with a grey and green cloth. A few servants passed him, looking at him weirdly as if he was a strange creature, and Rodrigue noticed as they looked away, their faces lit up as they realised it was him. A few maids spoke in whispers in the corner of the garden, some of the men drinking their mugs of beer and laughing. Rodrigue ignored it all and wondered down into the depths of a sort of basement. The door was easily openable and a flight of stairs led down into a large stone room. The smooth silky moon light enlightend his face and he looked back at the garden and back at the long downward facing flight of stairs. He began to walk down them. As the steep stairs got to a holt he looked around. It was a big room with a table and chair in the middle, the table being a long stone table with the finest of gold on the corners and layers of food on it. The four chairs on either side of the rectangle shaped table were large and pointy, one with a blue diamond in its back, the other a green, and the other a pink. The other chair had no colour, just a dark grey and the diamond was cracked. It was covered in moss and vines and the stonework was damaged. He knew very well who that belonged too. He looked at the blue and pink chairs to reveal two faces looking at him, the bearded grey face of Lairsa, the king of Torchwall. He nodded at Rodrigue and looked over to the other face. It was Raven, queen of Galahh, a kingdom a few miles from Torchwall, more in land. They both shared and looked and Lairsa spoke,

"Good evening Rodrigue. It's a pleasure to meet with you once again."

Rodrigue took a seat in the green lit chair as he tucked his clothes under and his cape over the back. He made himself comfortable and replied,

"I can tell it is far from a pleasure, but we have to speak. It seems you haven't changed, Lairsa. Nor you, Raven. I'm sorry we haven't managed to do this sooner, it's just it's not everyday the world plunged into ancient darkness."

"Still got your sarcasm I notice," Lairsa took a swig of his deep red rosey wine in a delicate glass, and placed it down again, "attitude like that won't remain the centre of attention for long my dear friend."

Raven has been sitting there for some time now, her face red and her hair a flowing gold, the silky locks of hair swirling down to her shoulders. She was an elegant woman in her twenties. She spoke,

"We do not have to be hostile, for I am relaxed. I believe we have a matter to discuss."

Lairsa shared a look at her as raven gestured her head at an object in the middle of the table. It was some sort of golden box, a green plate of each side and gold corners. Rodrigue looked closer to see it had a latch on the front. Lairsa best over to pick it up and he removed the latch and opened it, placing the top on the ground beside him. He placed it back down and lowered his hands into the box, only to pull out a shining and reflective blue orb, some smokey swirls flowing inside. It was as if the object was conscious. Rodrigue sat up and shared a puzzled look on his face.

"This is the elGhanteë, also known as the fate star. Also known as "god destroyer". It's some Italian name and belongs to the highest of angels. We managed to get a sorcerer to collect it for us, and here we have it," Lairsa shifted it around in his hand and gazed into its swirling depths.

"What does it do?" Rodrigue asked with a tone of curiosity.

"As you may know already, the island is in danger. You all know that the gods have awoken and now we suffer from a bigger threat. One kingdom has already fallen in the past months, and we have unfortunately lost a friend," Lairsa stopped as all the three royals looked at the empty and damaged chair,

"But we must stop the force before it eats up the souls of other kingdoms and maybe even the island. With that, it can destroy the world. Only the hierarchy of angels know about the destruction this orb can do, and it's not good. The results can be catastrophic. But we have to take a chance. We can send this orb into the direction of the heavens, and destroy the home of the gods. It all seems ludicrous now, but when it happens we must be prepared. The sorcerer who gathered the orb from the angels told me about a lighting strike. It will strike the top of the church in the kingdom of Torchwall, and we can ascend the orb up with it. As the lighting goes down and hits the spire, he instructed that we place the orb on the spire. As the lighting hits, the orb will ascend up and blow up the sky. That's what he told me. It is ludicrous but it's worth a shot. The gods can be angry, but we must defend ourselves."

Raven and Rodrigue stared blankly and agreed. They must blow up the sky.