this is my realm

I could see things were getting worse on the battlefield. The monster took everything I had to kill it. I threw so much of my energy into inflicting that wood into that, that thing. I was utterly exhausted and drained. Thank goodness it was over. My body losing its grip I slide off the monster and run to Theo. Collapsing in his warm safe embrace. I kiss him deeply, his lips feeling so good on my mouth. I was so tired.

"I'm really tired. I think I'm gonna take a nap."

"You can't fall asleep yet, you have to stay awake." Theo whispered to me.

"I don't think I can." Words barely able to whisper...

And then the blackness took me and I fainted.

***

Opening my eyes, I was back in the Netherworld.

How did I get here? Did I project myself here in my sleep?

I was stilled by its terrifying beauty, the way the ground glowed and the colors that came from the crystals growing from the ground. Purple streaks of lightning scattered across the sky. The Black obsidian mountains were breath taking.

Coming back this time felt different. Felt more like I was apart of this place instead of invading it. I wondered aimlessly for a bit before running into a little rabbit like creature in my path. It had red eyes like rubies and a cute nose. It's fur was a purple so dark it was black. I was awe struck by the cuteness of it. Noticing me; its fur stands up and it hisses showing its sharp teeth behind its large front ones.

"Well, that's not terrifying at all."

I get down on my knees and hold out my hand; hoping it won't try and take it off. The tiny breast sniffs the air and cautiously approaches. It hops up into my hands and

purrs. Rabbits don't purr, but this one did.

Running my hands gently down its back, the fur was softer than it looks and thick.

I hear this howl that. Brought tears to my ears and making the rabbit fold it's ears down and growl.

A rabbit growling. Ha. That sounds ridiculous.

I stand up picking up the rabbit with me and walk briskly away from the howl. Coming up to a tree with a whole in the bottom, the rabbit hops out and dives inside the hole. I wait to see if it will return, but it doesn't so after a few minutes I keep walking.

More trees come into view as I walk, and these have leaves, they glow red. It was such a soft glow. There were black and even blue flowers here! I hadn't seen blue anything here. It was magical here. I was so exhausted from battle and wandering. I sat down and relaxed. Soaking in the view.

"Petals fall like gentle rain,

promises made they can't contain,

Springtime loves a fleeting dream.

Yet his heart, it's evergreen."

I could hear Theo, he sang so beautifully

"As spring leaves, they must part,

He holds her love in his heart.

In the meadow where the wildflowers bloom,

He yearns for that first spring afternoon."

I closed my eyes and listened letting

his word pull me back,

"In the springtime love once called,

She found his heart and gave her all.

With one last kiss they say goodbye.

He watched forever leave him behind"

"Hey" I said smiling at the sound of his voice,

"You found me".

We were in my minds eye.

"Your eyes" He said really surprised. "They're silver"

I was puzzled. We laid together for a few more minutes before returning to the real world.

"When we get back we should talk about something. Your eyes and nose were bleeding." He said.

I freaked out. "You think I could be blind?"

"No, lets go." He chuckled before letting go and leaving my minds eye

"What do you know about Tai and Tan?" Theo asked a scholar from the library.

***

Orion and Theo rested the entire day after together, as he helped her recover from the attack. They spent the remaining two of three days helping with cleaning up and collecting the bodies. Everyone who could help was there and those who couldn't did what they could.

After word of what Orion and her brothers did get it, they were looked at in a different light now. They weren't seen as pretentious cowards as they believed but a fierceness protective force to be reckoned with. They all expressed compassion to people who only showed disdain. The people couldn't help but to amend their person grievances.

How they saw their future queen, well that was completely different as well. Walking among them you could hear them whisper as she passed by, some amazed and inspired by her abilities others afraid and feeling cautious. Thought it to be a bad omen that a woman was born with an affinity for necromancy. No necromancer before could summon shadows at whim. That was a power only a god had. Why did she have it?

The day before leaving Theo and Orion went to the library to research Tai and Tan.

***

"Tai and Tan?" The scholar was puzzled but then answered "That's not an area I am familiar with, I only know that the concepts are ideas and theories from the Dark Elf Clan. I know that it refers to the balance of energies. The books we have on it are limited, as the knowledge of their clan are well guarded and not well known."

"I believe your best bet, your grace, is to go to the library in Mythrandil and research there. I wish I could be of more help my prince." The scholar said bowing and then backing away to return to his tasks.

"Well shit, I thought we'd get some more info." Theo said.

"I know me too" I answered "but we are due to head out to the Mythrandil tomorrow, so waiting a week won't kill us. I don't think."

"We need to send word to your mother about what's happened here and with your powers recently." Theo urged me.

"I know and she'll call for council with the sisters again." I paused for a moment, "but I can't help be feel that there's something missing, and that until we know that something the witches won't respond."

"What are we missing?" Theo asked me.

"I don't know yet, it's just a gut feeling. They want us to know something before they'll talk to us next."

"For some reason I just can't find it in me to question the logic." Theo said pulling my head in for a soft delicate kiss on my forehead.

"Let's head back and pack and make a plan with our friends and your brothers." Theo suggested.

***

Orion and Theo head back to the palace. The streets looking cleaner and life returning to normal. It felt good to see the people moving forward with such determination after what they just went through. Hand in hand they walked taking in their last night in his city. People were more friendly and waved hi, kids pulled on their mothers skirts and pointed and smiled. Mothers nodded and smiled at Orion now.

"Hail our princess!" Someone yelled on the streets. "Long live our queen." The people on the streets moved to their knees, placing them on the ground bowing.

"Thank you for saving us."

Tears flooded Orions eyes. She felt the love Theo's people had to give. This was what they needed to do in all of the elven clans. They needed to change their minds and hearts on how they feel about her.

T: our people

O: you're so rude get out of my head

T: no, it's only fair since you're always on my mind.

O: you're so cheesy.

The sun was rising over Teloria, casting a warm, golden glow across the city's marble buildings. Orion and Theo and Thor companions gathered at the courtyard near the stables of the preparing for an 8 day journey.

Their destination was the Dark Elf capital, a place of mystery and shadow. The journey would be long, but it was necessary to strengthen the ties between the clans, they had to travel to all of the elven clans.

As they left the city behind, Joselyn began to speak. "It has been so long since I last traveled this road," looking around at the farm land as they ride on their beasts.

Carter with his hand on his saddle, nodded. "The tensions between the clans have been high. We need to be on guard so we don't run into the same problems we had in the first village."

"Yeah things could have gone much worse than they had." Oleander said.

"Worse? How could they have gotten worse" Arragon asked.

"A lot of ways, to be completely honest. Sun elves aren't known for their mercy. We only respect strength" Carter answered.

Orion, her eyes scanning the horizon, added, " could have, but here we are. Despite all odds. It's a sign of progress, even if it is slow."

The path led them through lush farms and vast plains, where the sunlight allowed shadows to dance between tree branches in the orchards. Theo and Orion ran ahead, their laughter echoing through the trees.

"What do you think the Dark Elves are like?" Orion asked, her eyes filled with curiosity.

Oleander shrugged. "Our father says they're not bad. Just… different."

"That's a wise way to think, Oli. They have their own customs and ways of living, but at heart, they are not so different from us." Arragon said

As they continued their journey, they encountered other travelers. A group of human merchants passed by their carts filled with goods to sell or trade. They took this. Time to buy some snacks from themselves and their beasts. Orion bought a locket with a sphinx on it. "It looks like your home" she said smiling with a gleam in her eye.

One evening, as they set up camp by a river, Orion made a small fire. "Do you think the Dark Elves will welcome us?" she asked, her tone serious.

Oleander sat beside her, sharpening his

blade. "I believe they will. This is important to all of Elysium. We have to show them that we come in peace, and they are different from our ancestors."

"Trust and understanding take time to build." Theo added "But every step we take brings us closer."

The nights grew darker as they traveled

deeper into the land, the moonlight giving way to the soft glow of crystals that mixed in with the gravel. The landscape became more rugged, with towering cliffs and deep valleys.

Orion looked up at the sky, the stars

twinkling above. "Will we see the stars there like we do here?" She asked "these are different from the ones back home and even the ones in your city."

Theo chuckled. "Maybe not as clearly as here, but they still have stars. The Dark Elves have their own beauty, hidden in the shadows."

Finally, after many days of travel, they reached the outskirts of Mythrandil. The city was a breathtaking contrast to Teloria and Aelindor, with its dark stone architecture and glowing crystals that lit the streets with an eerie, beautiful light. As they approached the gates, they were met by a group of Dark Elves. Their leader, a tall elf with striking features, stepped forward. "Welcome to Mythrandil," he said, his voice warm but indifferent. "We were expecting you sooner."

Orion stepped forward; her expression serene. "Thank you for your welcomE. And sorry about our delay, we had some difficulties during our stays and travels."

The Dark Elf commander maintained a stoic expression and said "you've traveled a long distance I'm sure you're exhausted let's get you to the castle."

As they entered the city, the group of elves felt a sense of anticipation. The journey had been long and sometimes challenging. Walking through the streets they knew what was at stake visiting the different clans of Elysium. They knew they needed the trust of the Dark Elves if we were to unite against the spreading rot. They remained the most neutral party after the civil war.