Chapter 16: The Prophecy
"Have you thought about your role in the prophecy?" The Solar asked after the moon elf recovered from the teleportation daze.
"I don't know." Rivian answered quietly. The prophecy spoke of the Children washing the realms with blood and that filled her with regret and fear; regret for the innocents that would be hurt and fear for the loss of all she loved and held dear.
Sensing the sorceress's hesitation, the Solar summoned an elf. "This is a part of you. Listen to what she says."
The copy turned to the moon elf and spoke in a neutral tone. "Your part in the prophecy is to prevent it from coming true."
Rivian blinked in surprise. Prevent? I'm not the one that bring Death and blood to the realms? "That is a relief...I had no desire to cause the destruction the prophecy tells of."
The Solar nodded. "What will you do now?"
Rivian thought for a moment. There was nothing she wanted more than to end the chaos and start a new life with Elhan, if the prince would have her. "The quicker I get this destiny over with, the quicker I can start the rest of my life."
The Solar smiled kindly and pointed one finger at another barrier. A single wave of blue energy appeared and unlocked the barrier. "Another challenge waits."
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Rivian sat quietly besides the campfire, thinking about the last words exchanged with the Solar. She glanced towards the chamber on her left, which had been recently unlocked.
"Melamin, you looked troubled."
Elhan's melodious voice interrupted her thoughts and the moon elf looked up to meet his concerned amber gaze. She flashed him a smile and stretched her hand towards the elf prince. "Come here, my heart." Elhan took her hand and sat besides her.
"What's troubling you?" Elhan asked quietly, holding the moon elf's hands in his own.
Rivian leaned her head against the bladesinger's chest. His arms automatically went around her, holding her close to him. The moon elf let out a soft contented sigh and relaxed her tense muscles. It was one of the few things that seemed to be stable and safe to her amongst the chaos and uncertainty surrounding her life. "The Solar told me that my part in the prophecy is to prevent the resurrection of Bhaal. If I fail, then the prophecy will come true."
Elhan turned the sorceress towards him and held her face in his hands. "That's a relief, is it not?"
The moon elf nodded. "I must not fail... Elhan. I cannot fail. So much is at stake here."
The prince planted a kiss on her forehead. "You won't. We will help you." He looked deep into her blue eyes. "A'mael, You're not alone."
Rivian was touched at the elf prince's words. "Elhan..."
"Shh..." the male elf placed one finger on her lips and smiled lovingly at her. He leaned forward and replaced his finger on her lips with a kiss. It was a sensual kiss and Rivian found herself kissing the prince back fervently.
He kissed her from her lips to her ear and nibbled at the pointed end of it. The moon elf closed her eyes and submerged into the blissful moment, her hands holding Elhan close to her. She felt his arms around her tightened, and he whispered into her ears. "Sleep in my arms tonight, A'mael." There was unmistakable invitation in his words. Rivian opened her eyes and met the prince's amber gaze; his golden eyes were bright with unspoken longing as he waited patiently for her answer.
The moon elf nodded shyly.
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Imoen tossed and turned in her sleep. A sudden expression of pain appeared on her face and it was gone as fast as it came. Her lips parted and something inaudible was whispered harshly, a slight frown appeared on her brows. Suddenly, she screamed and jolted awake. "NO!"
Imoen panted; she could hear her heart pounding in her ears. "Are you alright?" Rivian was sitting next to her in an instant, her arms around the human girl.
Imoen nodded bravely and offered the elf an assuring smile, the best she can manage. The darkness of her dreams still plagued her. In her mind, she knew that she had gained some abilities, powers that were promised to her in the dreams.
"What did you see, sister? You hear our sire's calling, didn't you?" Sarevok's deep voice startled the girl.
Imoen bit her lips and ignored the question. She was not about to share something so private with Sarevok.
Rivian stroked the girl's hair to comfort her. "It's alright, Imoen."
The mage turned to meet Rivian's silver blue eyes. "I... I think I have developed some more... abilities."
"What an irony! You who are such a weakling can actually harness the dark power in our blood while my access is now stolen from me." Sarevok exclaimed bitterly, his lips twitching malevolently.
Imoen bit her lips in anger and was about to rebuke the fighter when the moon elf interrupted her. "Enough! Have you learn nothing? You had the power and you tapped into it without reservations. Where did that land you?"
The seven-foot tall fighter looked surprise at the elf's words. He was quiet for a moment with a thoughtful look on his face. Finally, he sighed and walked away. "I will think over your words, sister." He said without looking back.
The elf turned her attention back to the thief and comforted her. She had been through the same thing before; the dreams were dark and filled with evil temptations. "It'll all end soon, Imoen."
"Can it end, Ri? I... I don't want these... I never wanted any of these." It was a desperate plea.
The sorceress hugged the girl and patted her back. "It will end, Imoen. I promise."
"Thank you, little sister." Imoen felt hopeful again. Rivian's words always had this effect. There was a hidden strength in her promise and that was reassuring enough for the mage.
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The group found themselves facing the Slayer, again. Anomen said a prayer to his deity and the battle began. Rivian knew that she would be the monster's target and thus had kept herself invisible, casting magic a distance away while the fighters kept the Slayer occupied.
The monster's thick hide was able to shrug off the attacks of the group. The moment Rivian's invisibility wore off, the creature started to advance towards her, slashing and knocking off the party blocking its path.
The moon elf ignored the impending danger and willed her concentration onto her incantations. The Slayer was within reach now and raised one claw to strike at the sorceress. "Melamin, watch out!" Elhan shouted. As the claw landed on the elf's chest, just before it could tear her skin, the air grew stiff and heavy. Rivian's incantations had completed and she moved out of range from the monster, and activated her magical protections. Her fingers went through various summoning spells that as the air grew lighter, the group found their numbers boasted with several summoned creatures on their side.
Elhan let out his breath in relief after seeing the moon elf unhurt and resumed his bladesong. He engaged the monster and invoked the magic of his weapon and managed to open a wound on the Slayer's scaly skin.
Behind the prince, Imoen concentrated on casting spells to lower the innate resistance to magic on the monster. She took care to keep a distance from the melee and provided support instead.
Jaheria summoned a greater fire elemental and willed it to engage the Slayer.
Rivian had drawn her sword and joined in the melee, tearing at the wound the elf prince made.
With the advantage of numbers on their side, the party quickly won the battle.
"Curse the challenges. Are you alright, my love?" Elhan was at the sorceress's side in an instant, checking her for injuries.
The moon elf smiled and nodded her head slightly. "I'm fine, Elhan."
The prince slipped his hand into hers and held it, one hand caressed her hair in a loving manner. "I do wish for the chaos to end soon, Ri. I want you safe by my side, more than anything else." He held her eyes for a moment.
A cough from Imoen broke their gaze. "I think the two of you need to get a room or something." She giggled and winked at the elves. Nudging the moon elf with her elbow, the thief leaned near and whispered. "I'm so happy for you, little sister."
Rivian blushed furiously.