The City of Light was famed for its mystery and beauty. It was a place that only those with magic were allowed to visit and only with the express permission of a Light Mage disciple. Very few have earned the right to enter the exalted city. But those who have seen it, boast of its magnificence. It was vast maze of temples and towers, with universities for the magically gifted and places for visiting mages to live and stay. Here acolytes walked in measured steps, their white with gold trimmed robes reflected on the pristine granite walkway. They discussed politics, magic, and other things they had studied in the temples.

In the heart of the Temples of Light, was a simple yet elegant castle that was always kept clean and ready for Her.

Today the city was buzzing with excitement, for She had come home, many had seen her retinue in the streets, though few saw her.

The Lady of Light

"We have kept him in chains as you have ordered, my lady." A servant bowed to the vision of loveliness in front of him and opened the heavy iron-wrought door of the dungeons.

"Good." She swept past him with a smile, the scent of flowers lingering in the air as she walked down the steep stairs to the dungeons.

There were few criminals that were held here, as the light mages saw crime as unclean. Her footsteps echoed in the empty halls of black granite, the jailers bowing to her in the firelight.

The opened the door to the largest cell.

In the center, a golden haired man knelt, his hands and feet in manacles. A heavy collar was attached to his neck.

"Do you remember the last time we stood in a cell together? Back then it was I in chains." She walked closer and lifted his head up with her delicate fingers.

"Do you hate me Jinon Sybarius?"

He stared into those eyes, unmarked by years but discolored by hatred.

"No."

"No? You're right. You don't hate me. You pity me."

She let go of his chin and chuckled, "You know, I thought that if I forced you to live all these years, if I made an enemy out of you, that you would hate me."

"I can't hate you."

"You never make things easy for me."

"I won't let you go down this path, not alone."

The Lady of light turned around and asked coldly, "Where are they? Where have you hidden all of them away?"

He said nothing.

"You alone know the location of the Hidden Fae, if you tell me, I will give you everything you desire." the Lady of Light offered, her fingers tracing his brows, "Anything you want."

Jinon shifted his head away from her hands.

"After all these years, aren't you tired, Kyria?"

The color drained from the Lady of Light's face.

"Stop calling me that. You aren't worthy."

"What would your father say if he saw you now?"

SLAP. The sound echoed in the chamber.

"He would be proud that his daughter avenged his death. He would be proud that I not only survived but conquered. I have protected the humans for centuries against the threat of the fae and folk. It will only be a matter of time before I find them."

"And then what? Kill them for their magic? Enslave them for sport? What depravities have you done in the name of protection. What atrocities have you committed?"

"I did it for my people. Unlike you, I stood for our kind while you ran off to protect the fae. You have hidden entire kingdoms of them from me. Time and time again I allowed you to wreak havoc. But even I have run out of patience. Our little dance is over."

"Kyria, please." His eyes seemed to soften as he looked at her, "You've already ran them off their land, so many humans and fae have died."

"I barely scratched the surface, you have done too good a job in hiding them. But soon, when I have enough power, all of your efforts will be for naught."

A sword appeared in her hand. The blade rested lightly on his neck, "Why do you keep doing this Jinon? You know I will succeed in the end."

"I don't want the deaths of so many on your soul." He stared into her eyes with a calmness that unnerved her, "When I swore my love for you, I promised to protect you. Even if it is from yourself."

The sword bit into his shoulder, but went no further.

CLANK. The Lady of Light threw it down in disgust,.

"You have broken every promise to me. You have hidden my enemies from me and yet you rely me to save you time and time again." She took a deep breath and open her eyes, "You are alive by my mercy and grace. And one day, when I have personally forced you to watch the death of all fae, I will send you to join them."

She turned to leave, and nodded to the jailer, "I want him to rot in these dungeons. Torture him until he speaks. My only request is that you keep him alive."

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The City of Thieves

"I don't understand, who was that woman that my lord was protecting? But our lord doesn't even look at women properly."

"Jacen, stop pacing, you're giving me a headache."

"Doesn't this worry you?" Jacen asked, "What if she was a sorceress who was trying to control our lord?"

"Don't be silly. Our lord threw the last sorceress into the pit of snakes that she had prepared for him. He is too powerful for a bewitchment."

"But what if she's more powerful? He's drained his own magic. He doesn't even use magic in battle."

Killian woke up to the sounds of Jacen's rebellious mutterings. He sighed, "Jacen, go outside."

Jacen and Evans turned around to seen Killian sitting on the bed, his face ashen. Jacen took a step forward, but after a glance from Killian, he bowed curtly and left the room.

Lord Evan came over with a sigh, "My lord." He handed Killian a fresh shirt.

"You also think I am bewitched?"

Lord Evan bowed his head.

Killian took the proffered shirt with a wince.

"The healer said that you must rest, magical wounds like this need time. Especially since we ran out of magical healing stones." Because you used them all on her, you foolish man. Lord Evan wanted to say this, but he liked his head on his shoulders.

Killian nodded as he carefully slipped the shirt on, "Where is she?"

Lord Evan frowned, "My lord. Did you see how powerful that woman was? She could be dangerous, you must be careful. You don't know the first thing about her."

Killian stood up, "I would like to know her."

Lord Evan was about to argue but the look on Killian's face stopped him. He sighed, "As you wish, my lord."

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The Land in the Ring

Cybelline blinked as she entered the land in the ring, how vast was the place now? She could hardly see the fog anymore. The pond was now a river, in its heart was a strong tree.

"Cybelline! Come quick!" A child ran up to her. Cybelline frowned as she saw that three little boys were sprinting toward her. They grabbed her hands and pulled. She followed at a quick trot.

"What's wrong?"

"Ryion was struck by lightning!" Isthan said as ran to keep up with his brothers, "Ithos and Myrai are worried sick.

"Hah?"

They arrived at the little cottage that Ithos had built. Cybelline ran forward, pushed open the door, and sprinted up to the bed.

There she was met with a strange sight.

A man lay in the bed, white lightning crackling over his body. In a flash, he was a child again. Then the man was back. Ryion seemed to flit between man and child again and again.

Ithos stood up when he saw the girl enter.

"Ere child, do ye know what's happened to Ryion?"

Cybelline walked over and saw that the boy's forehead was beaded in sweat, she looked up at Myrai, "How long's this been happening?"

"Ever since a few hours ago, a bolt of lightening had struck him." Myrai said, her face tight with concern, "We don't know what's wrong, this isn't magic we've dealt with."

Cybelline frowned as she watched the rush of lightning, "Maybe I can help."

"You have too much power." A voice at the door squeaked as Red sauntered in. He sniffed the child, "His magic's been suppressed too long, it didn't mix with the light magic you let into the land."

The fox looked at Cybelline balefully, "Next time you let a foreign power in, let us know. We don't want you killing us accidentally."

Cybelline's eyes widened, "I did this?"

The fox nodded, "This child has many different magics in his veins. His fae and human sides are warring with each other."

"Why didn't this happen to Miri but to Ryion?" Cybelline demanded.

"That child was on the verge of death, the magic meant to suppress her powers kept her alive until you found her. It was too weak to fight the new magic."

"The Augur might know what to do." Myrai said suddenly, "He is the most knowledgeable about magic of this kind."

Cybelline looked at Ryion on the bed, gently she picked up the child, "Let's go find him."

In a flash, they were gone from the land in the ring.

She appeared in her rooms in the castle with Ithos, Myrai, Ryion, and the rest of the boys in tow. Taking a bedsheet, she covered Ryion from head to toe.

Rushing out of the room, they were a curious sight. Cybelline leading the charge as two adults, three children, and a fox rushed down the corridors.

Killian saw Cybelline running across the hall, but she breezed passed him without so much a glance.

"Am I invisible to her?" He muttered, he glanced at his reflection. Usually, women did a double take when they saw him. Why did she run past him as if he was air?

Lord Evan pretended not to hear this. Rather he looked at Killian with disapproval, "It seems as if she's busy, perhaps--"

"Follow." Killian said as he strode down the corridor after the strange group.

Phillip had been dozing at his desk when the door was ruthlessly kicked open by Cybelline, "Where is the Augur? It's urgent." Ryion shifted from boy into a man in her arms underneath the sheet. Phillip saw the strange magic and the serious faces that greeted him.

"Of course." He stood and led them to a door, "This is the passage to his chambers. I can take you."

"No, stay here and watch the children. The fox will help you." Cybelline said and stepped through the door, "Ithos and Myrai? Will you follow?" They nodded.

Phillip was left staring at three boys, their eyes large with curiosity and worry.

A knock sounded, "Lord Killian." The servant announced, his voice quivering a little from fright.

Killian and Lord Evan walked in.

They looked at the children and Phillip. Lord Evan could not hid his smile, "Prince Phillip, I did not know you were such a prolific progenitor."

Phillip hmphed, "What you doing here, Lord Killian?"

Killian did not say a word, instead he crossed the room.

Phillip drew his sword, but before he could even blink, he was on the ground, his sword thrown out the window. How had the Lord of War done it so fast?

Killian swept past him without another glance, "Lord Evan, stay here." With that, he took walked into the door that Phillip had not yet closed.

"Does my quarters look like a nursery?" Phillip threw up his hands in exasperation.

Lord Evans was poring over his accounts, "If you run your household like this, you won't be able to support a nursery." The little red fox sitting solemnly on the table, nodded in agreement.

"Get. Out. Of. My. Halls."

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The Quiet Gardens of the Augur was lush and green, it seemed as if the world muted itself when entering his domain.

The man opened his eyes as Cybelline and her family walked in. They had passed through a long walkway of hedges directly to an open circle of stones. In the center, the Augur sat, reading.

"Ithos, Myrai." He stood up greeted them when he heard the footsteps, "It seems that the only time I see you is when some sort of catastrophe has struck your family."

"Our family is never dull." Ithos said with a smile, but it disappeared quickly as he gestured to the boy, "Can you help? It's Ryion."

"Lay him down."

The Augur pulled up the white sheet. He hissed when he saw the magical transformations that the boy was undergoing.

"You've been dealing in forces that are beyond me."

"Even death is not beyond you." Ithos argued.

The Augur looked at him sharply. Myrai put an hand on her husband's arm. The Augur sighed, and placed his hands on the boy. The changes began to stop and Ryion kept his form as a boy. The Augur's face was pale with exertion, and he swayed once he finished his spells.

He took his hand from Ryion, "I've stabilized him for a short while. Solana's magic is strong in this child, you must find her to undo the spell."

"I can't do anything?" Cybelline asked.

"Perhaps, but it is much safer to ask the one who did the spell than a youngster with little knowledge of magic. You may be one of the most gifted mages I've seen in my life, but experience is a teacher you have not yet known."

The Augur looked at Ithos and Myrai, "You both are so talented in attracting trouble. When it was just half-breeds, I looked the other way. But now you bring me a being whose future I can not see?"

He looked at Cybelline. She blinked and looked behind her, then pointed to herself, "Me?"

"Ye can't see her future?" Ithos asked, shocked.

"No. And if I can't it, then no one can." The Augur responded, "She may well be the one prophesied."

Ithos and Myrai's face drained of blood.

The Augur explained when Cybelline looked at him, "There is an ancient prophecy. It is said that from the darkness will rise a deity of destruction. Humankind will be its food and drink, and all will despair."

"The Lady of Light took it to mean that the Fae will rise and destroy the humans, this is why she is so bent on their destruction." Ithos said softly, Myrai held his hand, "She believes that the Fae will return to power to kill all human kind in revenge."

"That's pretty dark." Cybelline scratched her nose, "Is there like a heroine in this prophecy you forgot to mention? Also, is there like a part of the prophesy where there's a happily ever after? Like one where the heroine who vanquishes the darkness gets a duck pond as a reward? Because I don't feel like turning into a deity of destruction."

Ithos "..."

Augur "..."

Myrai, "..."

The Augur looked at her strangely, "Solara and I both have a copy of this prophecy. Perhaps you can check with her."

Ithos leaned forward, "Where is Solara?"

The Augur closed his eyes for a second and muttered a spell, "She is in Londaros. The capital. But that is not the person you came to seek. You came to ask about Jinon Sybarius."

"I can answer that one. He's in the City of Light." A voice responded behind them.

Killian leaned on the archway into the gardens, "I received intelligence of it last night."

The Augur frowned, "Lord Killian, you should not be here."

"I admit, the maze magic was interesting, it held me for a while."

"You heard everything." Cybelline asked, her face held her trademark polite smile. In her sleeve a dagger appeared.

Killian shrugged, "If you're worried about the prophecy, I won't say a word. Silly things."

The Augur sighed, "My lord, it is the oldest prophecy of Man. It is a holy prophecy."

"And?" Killian only looked at him coldly. The Augur felt a chill up his spine. This youth was ruthless and not often questioned. The Augur bowed after a second.

"This is a private audience." Ithos stood up, "Ye shouldn't be here, son."

The young general's face was a legendary icy mask of indifference. He walked up to Cybelline, "I can take you to see Jinon Sybarius, if that is your wish."

Cybelline was taken aback, "Why?" He was close enough for her to stab. She could end the threat right here.

"Because you're...." He paused, and then said, "Because I can and I might be the only one who can help."

"And what if I'm the deity of destruction from the prophecies? You would be associating yourself with pure evil."

"I don't believe in prophecies, only miracles. And I've seen miracles far more fantastic with my own eyes " He said quietly, looking down at her.

Everyone looked at the war lord as if he was insane. Cybelline remembered the way he held her during the attack and the rare healing magic he gave her for her wounds. Why did he go out of his way to help her like this? What did he want with her?

He was the Lord of War, feared by every ruler. Even the Augur treated him with respect. He was cold and brusque with everyone. But to her, he had risked his life without asking anything in return. Could she trust him, just a little?

Cybelline was taken a back by that strange thought, when did she began to know him well enough to think all of this? The dagger slowly retracted back to its original place. She knew that he was being sincere. What a strange feeling.

"I'm not going there for a social visit."

Killian looked down at the young woman who barely reached his chest, "Whatever you want. I'll help you."

The Augur sighed, "Young Lord, if you are going to ask the Lady of Light to release Jinon, that will never happen. He is her mortal enemy."

"She is more reasonable than you think. And I have other means." Killian said.

"I'll think about it." Cybelline said quietly, "Thank you."