EPISODE 7

Zoire walked into Erimense chamber.She could see he had woken up,his back against her.

He finally turned and looked at her.

"What Darl told me,is it true?".

Erimense asked.

Zoire wanted to shake his head to say no,but she only nodded.

"Some of stories are true,but not all of them".

Zoire replied.

Erimense rage grew.

"You never told me any of this mother,why?".

Zoire sighs as she moved closer to him.

"The time is not yet right to tell you Erimense.Dont mind what Darl told you,the essence of it all is to stop you from participating in the duel and new moon festival".

Erimense moved away from Zoire.

"He told me about the beast too,I can't believe you're so cold hearted mother".

Zoire looked at Erimense with a stern face.She slapped Erimense on the face, the force of it is so powerful that it send Erimense on his knees.

"Thanks mother,I don't want to participate in the duel nor the new moon.I'm not a royal blood,I shall take my leave out of the palace".

He said.But he was about to leave, Zoire stopped him in his tracks.

"Listen to me Erimense,I hope that you will understand someday that I'm not doing this because I hated you.But because I'm trying to prepare you for what is coming.I may not know what is coming myself,but all I know is that time is really short.If I really wanted you dead,I would have done it long ago.Come with Erimense,there is something I want to show you".

She turns and walked out of his chamber, Erimense followed like a  sixteen year old child.

Zoire took Erimense into the sanctuary.He had never been there before,but he wasn't sure about Darl.Zoire stood before the ancient paintings on the wall ,she took a deep breath and turn to Darl.

"Twenty years ago,in the ages of Darkness,the Dark lord ruled this world.You might wondering who the Dark lord is.The Dark lord is a woman,a very beautiful woman at that.But do not underestimate her,she have the strey of man.She is half woman,half man and half demon.The Cloud City then,served as a refugee camp and a resistance against the Dark lord,Death lord and his armies.The great Flerod led the resistance against the Dark lord, when Death lord her general had been defeated.Great was the power of the Flerod,but  as powerful as he was,he couldn't defeat the Dark lord.He managed to to seal her between the realms of Ust,Mond Kyrre.Up till now, nobody knew where Flerod died".

Zoire said.

Erimense took a deep breath,he was feeling uneasy with the story he just heard.

"Mother,are you saying that the ages of darkness will come again?".

He asked.

Zoire nods her head.

"Yes Erimense,but nobody knows how close it is already".

She said,as she walked out of the sanctuary.

Erimense took a step closer,to touch the paintings on the wall.Fear shuddered down his spine.Somehow,the more he looked at the picture,the more fear gripped his bones.

His eyes finally fell  on the picture of a goddess.Staring deeply at her,he could also felt that she is also glaring at him.The Dark lord stood on millions of bones and skulls.It was as if heaven had raised hell on earth.

Below the bones and skulls is an intense fire burning.It was as if he could hear the screams,pains and outcry of the people on his head.He felt all the hairs on his body rising, tingling with fear and excitement.Darkness is coming soon.

Moriana went into her brother's room.

"Good morning Garrick".

She said, smiling at him.

"Good morning little moon,how are you today".

He said smiling,as he struggled to get to his feet.

"I'm fine Garrick,....... ...... you're not strong enough mister.You're just recovering".

Moriana protested.

Garrick grunted .

"I will be fine,so don't worry about me".

He watched her,as she prepared his tea.The gem on the necklace fell out from her breast, dangling in the air  as it started emitting a low blue light.

Garrick brows furrowed.

"Moriana".

He whispered.

Moriana replied.

"Yes Garrick".

Her attention on the tea,she is preparing.

"The necklace on your neck,where did you get it".

Garrick asked, demanding an urgent answer.

"Oh the necklace, Erimense gave it to me".

She said,as she gave a shrug.

Garrick was full of thought for a while, before the name suddenly registered.

"Shit isn't that the prince".

He asked,not believing his ears.

Moriana couldn't help but smile.

"Are there two Erimense on Cloud City?".

She answered tauntily.

Garrick mouth fell open.

"Did you went to the palace?".

He asked,as he ran his fingers through his hairs.

"No I didn't went to the palace.He met at the fields when I was trying to lift a bag of wheat inside the wagon.He walked up to me and helped me out".

Moriana answered, finally serving him his tea.

Garrick took the cup from the tray,and lift it to his lips.

"I'm sure it is not just a necklace little moon,did he told you what the necklace is used for?".

He asked, before taking a sip.

Moriana sighs and replied.

"He said it is for protection".

She said,as she settled down beside him smiling.

Garrick gave a face before replying.

"I give that Moriana, Erimense is a very good prince.I will like to learn alot from him.So he didn't tell you the motive  of giving you the necklace, little moon'.

Moriana looked at his brother,her eyes narrowed.

"No he didn't,he just told me to wear it always" 

Garrick gave his sister,a mischievous look.

"I think Erimense is in love with you".

Moriana gasped.

"Erimense, you're flattering me".

She said,as she punch him ay his chest.

"You have a dirty mind Garrick".

She said, blushing.

Garrick couldn't help himself,but burst into laughter .

"Oh really,I didn't know I have become famous for that".

He said,as he struggled to his feet.