Ancient Mystic's War of the Realms Saga - Lady Adellandra Dratianos (books to read in your 20s .TXT) 📗

is younger, not her body. Take her home and leave her to rest. Her mind and magic have been working overtime.”
“Why is she reverting to her younger days?” The Protector asked. “She’s no older than my Dream Girl’s image now. This can’t last much longer.”
“It will not. I can promise you that.” Enchantra said. “Tell me, what has happened in the Outer Realm that would make her work herself so hard here?”
“Sabrina, the Silver Magic, the Djinn attacks on me, my brother Jake, and Kelly, Omri’s spell that almost tore the family apart.” The Protector explained somberly. He tried joking. “And that’s just the fun stuff.”
“I recall her journey to the Underground to bring the Elder Companions home.” Enchantra supplied. “And Young Theodore’s birth wore her out, I can imagine.”
“It was shortly after he was born things at home got worse.” The Protector supplied, petting the Young Ariana Moon’s hair. He brought her silent body close to his chest, hugging her tight. “I can’t lose her. She’s everything to me.”
Enchantra waited silently, touching his head to lend the Protector strength as he broke down in tears.
“Ariana, please come back to me.” The Protector’s voice wavered, whispering her name as a litany. “Don’t give up on me now. We’ve been through so much, I can’t bear to lose you. I love you so much, it hurts.”
With the admission, Enchantra was helpless. She could take the emotional pain no more. Closing her eyes, she chanted a spell to take them home.

Locust, Tree-Tall, Moy Yam Tay
Send these two lovers away
From mine eyes, and from mine sight
Take them home to the Outer Realm tonight

In a gentle wave of Ancient Mystic Magic, they disappeared from her sight.
In her mind, it was time to get down to business. Thinking of her own love of O’Dell, she disappeared to his Castle.

II

“I don’t like the feel of this, Unicorn.” Airmed whispered from atop his unicorn-formed back. “I don’t like it at all.”
They were slowly traveling to the Ancient Mystic Kingdom’s Castle.
The Unicorn shook his head. “Neither do I. It’s too....”
“Quiet.” Airmed finished with a shiver.
When the Castle was in sight, the Unicorn stopped in his tracks. “I’m going to shift back. You might want to get off now.”
As Airmed’s feet touched the ground, the Unicorn shifted back to human form.
“Does that tire you?” Airmed wondered.
“Not as much as it should.” The Unicorn announced. His eyes were on the Castle door. No one was there, and that bothered him. “That’s funny. Where are the guards?”
Airmed looked. “I can feel something dark in there.”
He took her hand. “Let’s go find out, shall we?”
The door was wide open, and they passed through the entrance.
“Now it really feels dark.” Airmed announced, keeping close to his side. “I’m scared.”
The Unicorn kissed her forehead and pulled her closer to his side in order to comfort her. “You’re with me. I won’t let anything hurt you.”
Using the Empathy, he scanned the Castle. His Earthly Protector was right. There was something dark here, and its name was Gloriana.
“What is it?” Airmed asked as he stopped them in front of the Chamber doors.
“Do you remember me telling you about a Dominionite named Gloriana?”
“The one you and Young Guardian sent to a place called the Unknown? Yeah, why?”
“She’s back, and in there.” The Unicorn nodded to the doors. Taking a deep breath, he pushed one of them open, letting himself in. Airmed followed close behind.
At first, the main hall was empty, and black.
“Now I really don’t like the feel of this.” Airmed commented. “Let’s hurry and find Lord Byron. I want to go home.”
“Giving up already?” The Unicorn teased, though he felt the same way. He looked up and called into the air. “I know you’re here, Gloriana! Come out and face me!”
There was a low cackle, then a burst of white energy that brought light back into the room. As their eyes adjusted to the bright light, they saw her.
The Dominionite Gloriana, with her long black hair and perfect curves, was the epitome of evil. Both the Unicorn and Airmed could feel it emanating around her. She wore a revealing leather skirt and red shirt that showed her cleavage. Her eyes were pitch-black and she had seductive-red lipstick on her lips.
“At last, Aaron Theodore.” Gloriana sneered. “We meet again.”
The Unicorn stepped in front of Airmed as if to protect her. “What are you doing here, Gloriana?”
“Reclaiming my place as queen.” Gloriana announced.
“You were never queen of the Ancient Mystic Kingdom.” The Unicorn said. “The only thing you were queen of was the Unknown. How did you manage to get back?”
“A little Ancient Mystic spell from Damian.” Gloriana shrugged. She looked to Airmed, who was peeking her head out from behind the Unicorn’s back. “Who do we have here? Young Guardian’s replacement?”
Airmed wasn’t afraid, or at least didn’t appear to be. “I am Airmed Starchaser, the Unicorn’s Earthly Protector.” She announced, stepping in front of him.
“Don’t do this, Airmed.” The Unicorn warned, grabbing her wrist in an effort to stop her.
She twisted out of his grasp. “I’m your Earthly Protector, aren’t I? Let me do my job and protect you!” She turned back to a still-grinning Gloriana. “Tell us where Lord Byron is, or else!”
“Or else what, little witch?” Gloriana sneered. “You will cast a useless spell on me?”
Airmed stood her ground. She thrust an arm out and shouted. “Winds of Disruption!”
A blast of air came from Airmed’s palm, throwing Gloriana across the room. The Unicorn stared at her, impressed. Airmed closed her hand and the wind was gone.
She turned back and shared a smile with him before looking back to Gloriana.
“You were saying?” Airmed said sarcastically.
Gloriana had trouble standing. “If you really want to know, I suggest you look behind you.” She sneered, pointing just over their shoulders.
When they turned, they saw Lord Byron, as Gloriana had said.
The Unicorn stared at the Lord of the Ancient Mystic Kingdom, appalled by his appearance. He was hunched, crippled hands holding his staff like a crutch. His face was pale, and the Unicorn could see the Lord Byron’s blank eyes. He could sense nothing from the Lord using the Empathy. Now he was really peeved.
One look from Airmed told him she’d handle healing the Lord should he need it.
He turned back to Gloriana, who was laughing.
“What have you done to him, Gloriana?” The Unicorn demanded, fists to his side.
“I have done nothing the man would not do himself.” Gloriana admitted. “He has worked far too hard and for so long. I only wished to ease his pains.”
“Ease his pains!” The Unicorn cried. “You call aging him ahead of his time ‘easing his pains’? He’s the youngest Wizard Originator.”
“The youngest and most handsome.” Gloriana looked to the failing Lord Byron behind the Unicorn and laughed. “Or, at least, he was.”
“You’ve no right to do this!” Airmed screamed out. The Unicorn heard a thump behind him, but didn’t turn away from Gloriana’s vicious eyes. “Thanks to you, he’s dying!”
“Oh well, I have had my fun.” Gloriana remarked. She raised her hands in the air as if to escape but was stopped.
“What the?” She asked, then looked ahead. “You!”
The Unicorn looked where her gaze went to see who was there. It was the Lord Guardian of the Dream Realm himself, O’Dell. With him were the Mistress twins, Enchantra and Challandra. Lord Byron had fallen to the floor in a heap and Airmed was still doing her best to help him.
Queen Challandra wasn’t happy. “Aye, Gloriana. Me.”
“How did you escape the Witches Cord and the sleeping spell?” Gloriana demanded. “Orthos told me they would not fail!”
“You obviously do not know true Wizards’ power.” Lord Guardian announced.
The Unicorn saw what appeared in O’Dell’s hands. A golden energy ball pulsed brighter as he stared at it, muttering words the Unicorn could only guess was the Ancients’ language. The glow grew brighter with each repetition of the spell.
Lord Guardian glanced up from the sphere to stare at Gloriana with flaring silver eyes.
The Unicorn could sense Gloriana’s fear, and that of his own love, Airmed. Without saying a word, Airmed ran to his arms, holding him tight as they watched the scene. This was Lord Guardian’s wrath, he thought to himself. No creature would live after crossing him.
In the Ancient’s tongue, O’Dell called out another powerful spell. The Mistresses joined their voices to his to complete the chorus. The golden glowing sphere of energy left Lord Guardian’s hands, wrapping itself like a ribbon around Gloriana’s shrieking body.
The Unicorn shielded Airmed’s eyes from the brilliant glow as he watched, unable to look away. In moments, it was over. Gloriana was gone and so was the glowing sphere of energy. He could feel Airmed’s heartbeat quicken. She was shaking in his arms, frightened of what she saw and heard.
“It is okay, Airmed.” Enchantra walked up to the couple. “It is over.”
A touch to Airmed’s shoulder from Enchantra’s hand calmed her. The Unicorn looked up at the Mistress. Enchantra smiled, winking at him. “Lord Guardian and Challandra are tending to Lord Byron.”
The Unicorn nodded and Enchantra left to join them.
He pulled Airmed’s dual-colored eyes to meet his own. “She’s right, you know. It’s over for now.” He kissed the shadows of tears from her eyes before meeting her lips with his own.
Airmed deepened the kiss, grateful he was there for her when she was scared. She was happy he was real and not just another dream. When the kiss ended, she wrapped her arms around his neck and held on for dear life, not ever wanting to let go. “Oh, Aaron, I was so scared!” She whispered in his ear.
“You weren’t the only one, dearest.” He whispered back.
They heard O’Dell clear his throat to get their attention. “I want to personally thank your Earthly Protector, Unicorn.”
“What did I do, Lord Guardian?” Airmed asked.
“You healed his inner wounds and reversed Gloriana’s aging spell.” O’Dell responded. “You have a very powerful gift, Airmed Starchaser. Do not let it go unused any longer.”
The Unicorn smiled. “I take it you approve of her, my Lord?”
“Aye, I do.” Lord Guardian agreed, nodding his head. “Enchantra told me of the special Pagan Dreamer you named your Earthly Protector. It was not until now I saw just how special Airmed truly was, both to you and to the Ancient Mystics.”
“Speaking of Ancient Mystics, Lord Guardian.” The Unicorn started. “Did Enchantra tell you about Young Guardian?”
“Regretfully, aye.” Lord Guardian said. “While it is sad she reverts inside herself, it is a wonder she kept her pace for this long. I believe it my fault she works herself so hard lately.”
Thinking back to their conversation at the Palace with Enchantra, the Unicorn spoke. “My Lord, what did you see in the Mirror?”
“My brother will strike the Dream Realm once again.” Lord Guardian responded softly. “Once held by an Ancients’ spell of Exile, Orthos will find a way to come back and destroy us all.”
“You won’t let that happen, will you?” Airmed sniffed.
“I was hoping I could stop him in time.” Lord Guardian supplied. “For now, Young Guardian has need of me. As for the two of you, return home. Airmed, I am proud of what you did for my brother against Gloriana. Unicorn, take care of her. She is strong at heart but fragile in soul.”
“I thought I was supposed to take care of him?” Airmed tried to joke, despite