Chapter 11: Return to Imarnia

LYDIA

“Even though the city was put through the evacuation protocol, there were too many people left behind,” Chancellor Alastair read from the letter in her hands. “Queen Adria and King Gabriel laid waste to the capital city…making sure no single straggler was left alive.”

Congress was dead silent as Chancellor Alastair took a moment to compose herself. The letter from General Malla had given great detail of the city’s efforts to hold off the two attacking Royals.

But if ranked wizards and Slifers couldn’t keep them in check, it was evident to everyone in Congress how futile General Malla’s efforts had been.

Elise and Ayana each had an arm around Redmond as he continued to wipe tears from his eyes. Lydia’s heart was broken in two. Not only did she feel for the Earth Slifer, but she was in pain over what Gabriel had done.

This madness was escalating beyond anyone’s wildest dreams.

Chancellor Alastair cleared her throat and took a sip of water.

“General Malla and her guards showed unmatched bravery,” Alastair said. “They were able to escape and find safety in the hills of Vallas. But we must make sure that their valiant efforts were not in vain.”

A murmur of agreement arose from the audience in the hall. It was soon halted as Chancellor Alastair held up her hand.

“Sadly, that is not the only bad news I have to share with you.”

Lydia and the Slifers looked at one another. Even though it was only hours ago that they had their picnic in the courtyard, it felt like ages had passed.

“Moments before Congress convened, there were attacks on the outer edges of Imarnia,” Alastair said sadly.

The hall grew loud with exasperated whispers. It was as if a horrible prank were being played on all of Ignolia.

Lydia wondered if she were in a never-ending nightmare. It would somehow make more sense than all of the chaos and confusion being sent her way.

“I’ve given Marsie Maroo complete control over the next steps of intervention,” Chancellor Alastair shouted over the noise. “Do whatever she asks and then do more! The entire realm of Ignolia depends on it.”

***

The group of wizards and soldiers was crammed into Marsie’s quarters. Everyone squirmed with nerves as they hoped to do right by the chancellor and all of Imarnia.

Marsie’s eyes were wide with determination as she looked at the group before her. Lydia could only imagine what she was thinking. It had been one hell of a week so far, and things were only bound to get worse unless she had a say.

“Shut up and listen good,” Marsie growled. “I know we’re getting kicked in the pants one second after the next, but we’ve got to stay focused and alert.”

Lydia watched as Marsie scanned the faces in front of her, quickly sizing up each member. If they were going to achieve any kind of victory, it would have to start with matching the best teams possible.

“Vallas might have fallen, but there’s still a rescue effort underway,” she continued. “That group will consist of Redmond, Ayana, Gerard, and myself.”

Redmond and Ayana held hands, nodding as they accepted their upcoming mission. Gerard gave a thumbs-up from the back of the crowd. Marsie nodded, assured that they would be more than enough to take out any remaining Wizard Hunters and still save lives.

“The team headed to Imarnia will be Lydia, Elise, Dorian, and Lucius,” Marsie said. “I trust you guys to go on your own. Don’t let me down.”

“We won’t,” Lydia assured.

“Alright,” Marsie shouted, “let's not waste any more time!”

The two teams huddled together separately. Within moments, two flashes of light filled the small quarters as they teleported to their destinations.

***

Screaming citizens.

Burning buildings.

Mounds of rubble.

Lydia and the others couldn’t believe the waste that lay before their eyes. It was as if an earthquake shook the foundations of Imarnia loose while an asteroid plummeted from the sky.

“All this devastation,” Lucius said, gawking. “To what end?”

As a young girl, Lydia had always imagined what it would be like to live in such a bustling city as this, and for several months, she had the opportunity to live out her dreams.

But this was a nightmare. Created in the darkest recesses of the mind and brought to life by an evil the likes of which this kingdom had seen only once before.

“What do we do?” Dorian asked.

“We need to get to the castle!” Lydia screamed above the sound of the still-crumbling buildings.

The path to the castle wouldn’t be simple. There was too much devastation lying in their path. But in a way, it was important that they saw as much of the wreckage as possible to honestly assess the situation.

Lydia led the way while the others followed. When they encountered a downed building, Elise conjured up a small tornado to sweep away the ruin. When they crossed a bridge and had to stop because of a gaping hole, Lucius created a magical bridge that let them push forward.

Lydia tried her best to focus on the castle, but her eyes wandered. Crying children were covered in soot and ash. Men desperately tossed aside stones to try and free trapped friends. Women handed out water to those dying of thirst.

“We need to do something for them!” Elise called out as they neared the castle.

“It’s too late for that,” Lucius grumbled. “If we don’t find Gabriel quickly, there won’t be a kingdom left to save.”

Lydia and the others finally climbed over the last mounds of debris to find themselves at the sealed gates of the castle. The doors were locked tight, and there seemed to be no way inside.

As they looked at one another for answers, two hooded figures appeared as if out of thin air. Lydia’s fists clenched as she readied herself for a battle…

But instead, she found herself engulfed in overwhelming relief.

It was Lis and Aero—the Queen Regent and one of the kingdom’s most trusted advisors. They hugged quickly, their greeting warm but brief.

“What’s happened?” Lydia asked. “Who did this?”

Lis looked hard at the Fire Slifer; her eyes were heavy with sadness. “It was my brother, King Gabriel.”

The group’s hearts sank collectively. It was a blow to realize that they had already fought him once. But it hurt even more to know they had failed to arrive in time to prevent such devastation from happening in Imarnia—especially by its ruler’s own hand.

“He showed up out of nowhere,” Aero said. “By the time we knew what was happening, he had used his shadow powers to destroy half the city. He was like a storm of anger and destruction.”

Lis held back tears as she tried to speak. “After he sent the city into utter chaos, he made his way to the castle. Luckily, we had evacuated most of the court.”

Lis and Aero looked at one another, sharing the pain they had to endure.

“We knew a few escape routes that Gabriel forgot to secure,” added Aero. “Since then, it’s been a waiting game until you all showed up. We hoped…we ~prayed~…that someone would come.”

Elise and Dorian both looked out at the collapsed city behind them. Lucius fished a flask from his pocket and took a hefty swig.

Lydia thought about chastising the old man, but under these circumstances, she almost wanted to take a drink herself.

How could Gabriel have done this to his own kingdom? Even if Evine had him under some sort of mind control, what was the ultimate goal of taking back one’s kingdom only to raze it? It was like a sick game.

“We have to stop him,” Lydia said with determination.

“And how do you suggest doing that?” Lucius asked with a hiccup.

“By any means possible,” Elise said.

Lydia noticed the look on her face was no longer of sadness, but of anger. Elise no doubt imagined what it would be like to see her own kingdom undergoing a similarly catastrophic change.

“I agree,” Dorian added, pumping his fists in support. “Gabriel needs to pay for this.”

Lydia turned her attention to Lis and Aero. “Where are these secret passages? We need to get into the castle now.”

GABRIEL

From the vantage point of his throne, Gabriel could see the smoke curling up from the pummeled city. It was glorious knowing that it had fallen by his hands. The rebellion had been quick but weak, and he put them down without exerting more force than necessary.

Adria needed an army to destroy her kingdom—an army that included Gabriel. But the King of Imarnia had planned to show Evine everything he had. She would no doubt be impressed with his domination…

Gabriel got up from his throne and surveyed the room. A familiar energy pulsed throughout the castle—one given off by a young woman—but it was not his mistress, Evine.

This was someone else.

~A Slifer!~

The same one he had nearly killed a few days prior.

She must have come hoping to infiltrate his castle and take him by surprise.

Gabriel collapsed onto his throne with a sinister grin.

Finally! He would be able to finish the job for Evine.

It would be his pleasure to crush the Fire Slifer and watch the last moments of life drain from her body.