Legends of Marithia: Book 2 - Darkness Rising by Peter Koevari Page B

she answered, turning her head upward, “and your
brother, Finn, who has now been reborn in his true
form.”
    “ I beg of you, help me. I
fought with every thread of strength and power I had, but I failed
at the…”
    “ Hush child, it takes great
power for me to appear before you today and our time together will
soon come to a close. I may be far above this world, but I have
already seen the path which you have walked.”
    Vartan looked to the sky and asked,
“Above?”
    In a perfectly clear blue sky, a lone
star sparkled like a diamond.
    “ I see now, but if you see
all, then why have you graced us with your presence?” Vartan
asked.
    “ So powerful and
prophesised to save this world, but you still have a long journey
toward wisdom. Throughout the many ages, all true heroes share a
common trait. They are unlike others in their world, but they are
linked to our world, the realm of gods. We do not want Marithia to
fall into the underworld and can assist you greatly… but everything granted has a
price,” she continued.
    “ I understand, please go
on,” he begged.
    “ I will restore your strength to you and grant you a gift. You will
be given a choice of enchantments and for all our sakes; I hope
that you choose wisely. Any choice will require the sacrifice of
one of our god’s souls.”
    Vartan shook his head with
disagreement and his voice dropped as he spoke. ”That is too a high
price and burden to bear, mother.”
    “ There are many gods, and
they regret their mistakes which led to the creation of Shindar,
the one who would destroy the world which we have lovingly created.
They want him back in the land of the gods, to be purified, and are
prepared to make an ultimate sacrifice to achieve it. He has grown
far too strong to be completely destroyed by anything or anyone in
your world, but there is one way that he can be sent to the gods
for punishment… he must be taken there, alive,” she
continued.
    “ What! How!” he
exclaimed.
    He could see the disappointment in her
eyes and lowered his head as he said, “My apologies Mother Dragon,
but this task is impossible. I was beaten by Kassina, and have yet
to face Shindar. I imagine that his powers well exceed those of his
apprentice. How in the name of Marithia could I possibly do
anything to control him while he is alive?”
    “ The gods have many
creations, and there is another being that was sent to Marithia
with the fate of assisting you in ridding the world of Shindar. She
is known in Marithia as Anakari , and you need to find her,”
answered Mother Dragon.
    “ Anakari, and where may she
be?” he asked.
    “ I will do what I can to
help align your paths once you are ready to leave Trahoterra, you
will need her help with the task of dealing with Shindar,” she
continued.
    “ What is the task?” he
asked.
    “ There is a place, built by
the ancients that contains a portal to the world of the gods. It
will allow you to send Shindar to where he can never return, and
once that task is complete, you will have saved Marithia from this
apocalypse.”
    Vartan proudly said, “I know that
place, it’s called She’Ma’Ryn.”
    “ No, She’Ma’Ryn can only
take you to another world on your plane. The world of the gods can
only be reached by other means. The ancients called this place,
Daessar,” said Mother Dragon.
    He remembered that Talonsphere had
spoken of that place as well and said knowingly, “Now it is all
starting to make sense, where do I find Daessar?”
    “ Daessar had to be
protected and hidden from those that would wish to destroy it. As
such, the ancients built it under a veil of protection. I am unable
to locate it, but Anakari is your key to unlocking the way,” she
answered, “Now, you must choose your gift as this meeting is
swiftly coming to an end.”
    “ I understand, but what are
my choices?”
    “ There are five elements
for you to choose from and your body can only be enchanted by one
of them. They are water, fire,