Balance of the World
Chapter 4-Battle

Chapter 4: Battle

“Varen,keep a proper stance,” Elias ordered the young man.

Thetwo men wielded their broad swords against each other in the middle of a crowdof Elias’s men Varen swung his sword from the shoulders and brought it down onElias. The General blocked the attackand spun Varen’s away then swung at his side, but the blonde blocked it,expertly. They each brought their swordsdown on the other, and the metal clanged together, close to the hilts. They stared at each other from where theblades crossed.

“AmI any better, Sir?” Varen strained, straining against Elias’s sword.

“Better,”Elias nodded before pushing him away. Varen fell to the ground from the force of the shove and Elias pointedthe tip of his sword at him, stepping on the blade of Varen’s sword. “You can’t worry about how efficient you arewith a blade when it means your life. You must be good enough to survive, but you cannot let it distract you. If you do, you’ll end up in the position you’re in right now.”

Helowered his sword and helped Varen up as the men clapped and he instructed,“Keep practicing.”

“GeneralElias Blackwood?”

Eliasturned to see a pirate standing with one of his men.

“Ihave an urgent message for you from the King,” he explained. Elias nodded and waved him over with hissword before sheathing it, and the messenger hurried toward him to speaklowly. “There has been an attempt onMiss Walsh’s life that Captain believes Jellina is behind.”

“Varen!”Elias called, and the young man rushed toward him. “I’m going back to the Mela Ear. You’re incommand for now, and you will hold yourposition here until I give you orders. Understood?”

“Yes,Sir,” Varen nodded as Elias turned to back to the pirate standing with him.

“Explaineverything to me on the way,” he ordered the man as they headed back into thewoods surrounding the camp.

Aboard the King’s ship...

Namirhanded Zoey a glass of water as she sat at the table in the galley, Kaysar’sovercoat resting on her shoulders.

“Thanks,Namir,” she shivered, taking the glass and taking a drink as Namir sat in frontof her, twiddling her fingers in nervousness. Zoey noticed her fidgeting and wondered, “Is something wrong?”

Namirtook in a breath before pulling a chair up to sit in front of Zoey and sheasked, “You’re the Enuria…aren’t you?”

Zoeystared at her with wide eyes as she froze in shock.

“Everyoneknows the Prophecy,” Namir explained. “Agirl…the first human woman will becalled to Kalina and she would end the war after one year and that she woulduse magic. I heard you use a spell onLiona.”

Zoeylooked to her glass of water and sighed, “Elias told me all about it lastnight. It’s still hard for me to believethat I could be the one. I’ve never fought anyone. I…fail at everything.”

“Thatcannot be true,” Namir insisted. “Youdefeated Liona and have already learned to successfully use a DeposessionSpell!”

“Shealmost killed me,” Zoey murmured, not looking at her.

Namirleaned forward and took one of Zoey’s hands, making the red head look up at herwith wide eyes as she smiled, “You are not alone in this. You will have the support of the King behindyou, and you have the best warrior as your protector. Elias Blackwood is truly a great man to haveat your side.”

“Ihave no doubt of his skill, it’s myself that I doubt,” Zoey replied.

“Allgreat ones doubt themselves in the beginning, but they come out victorious inthe end,” Namir smiled. “You will be victorious.”

Zoeygave a small scoff before nodding and patting her hand.

“MissWalsh!”

Thegirls turned a man racing down the hatch.

“GeneralBlackwood is here to see you,” he reported.

Zoeygave a frown but stood and ran past the man to head up on deck, Namir on herheels. Zoey’s face lit up when she sawthe masked General climbing over the railing to board the ship.

“Elias!”she called, running toward him and he turned just in time to catch her when shethrew herself into his arms. He sighedin relief as he wrapped his arms tightly around her, stroking her damp hair.

“Areyou alright?” he whispered into her hair and she nodded, unable to keep herselffrom shuddering as she began to cry.

“Elias,”she breathed. “I almost died! I could have drowned!”

“Yousort of did, love,” Kaysar mumbled,causing Namir to punch him in the arm and he winced, rubbing the spot she’dhit. He was ignored anyway.

“Butyou didn’t die, Zoey,” Eliasmurmured, holding her tighter. “It’s my fault this happened. I should have stayed with you. It’s my duty to protect you.”

“Don’tsay it’s your fault!” Zoey replied,shaking her head as she lifted her gaze up to him. “How could you have known?”

“Itwas our fault, General Blackwood,”Namir spoke up. “We pulled her into thewater—”

Eliasheld a hand up behind to Zoey to gently silence her, but Zoey caught hisattention when she looked up at him and whispered, “I need to talk to you.”

Henodded and she took his hand to lead him down the hatch leading to thegalley. She sat him in a chair andperched herself on his knee.

“What’swrong, Zoey?” he murmured, moving a piece of damp hair from her face.

“Idid something that I think I shouldn’t have,” Zoey confessed, softly. “Felix came and told me that I would have tolearn all these spells to fight Jellina and I read the list he gave me, but Iwas only supposed to memorize them. Well, when I was attacked by Liona, I used one of the spells.”

Eliasstared at her with wide eyes, making Zoey swallow in worry, but he soon shookhis disbelief and asked, “Which spell did you use?”

“Thedeposession spell,” she replied. “Heonly told me to memorize them.”

“Thisis…incredible, Zoey,” he smiled, making her frown in wonder, but her heartskipped when he wrapped his arms around her. “The fact that you’ve learned, even onespell, so quickly proves you’re ourSavior. Felix will be thrilled, believeme.”

“Oh…”she replied, hollowly as Elias hugged her tightly. “That’s…great, then.”

“Iknow you’re unsure of yourself,” he murmured, not letting her go. “Just know that I’m here for you. We all are.”

“Iknow,” she sighed.

Eliasgently pushed her away to smile at her and request, “Now, I you to tell me everything that happened with Liona.”

Meanwhile...

Aloud shout of anger echoed through the throne room of the Castle Dae. Jellina paced across the black marble floor,gritting her teeth. The Dark Fairy,Mori, followed behind her through the air as she paced.

“Howwas she able to learn to use magic so quickly?!” Jellina demanded, stillpacing.

“Itis further proof that she is the Enuria,” Mori replied, calmly. “A minor setback. She is a mere girl of twenty-two. The weight of being the so-called Savior ofKalina will be too heavy for her to bear. We merely need to scare her.

“That’snot what my sources tell me.”

Jellinastopped and turned toward a pillar where the sultry voice had come from,recognizing the voice. There were a fewfootsteps before the female appeared from the shadows behind the pillar, herwaist long, red hair swishing around her, her green eyes glued to Jellina assmile curled over her red lips, wearing a long, red dress and holding a long,red staff topped with two crescents, one red, and one gold and ending with ared ruby.

“Uaine,”Jellina smirked. “What would the CaradWitch know about our little problem?”

“This‘mere girl’ is not so easily swayed,” Uaine replied. “My Dark Fairy spies tell me she isstrong. She has spirit andintelligence. She is also unpredictable,as you now know, dear sister.”

“Whatdo you suggest then?” Jellina asked,crossing her arms.

Uainesmirked then murmured, “Tell the leaders of each species on our side about the Enuria. Give them no orders, and let us see what theydo. They may do the job of getting ridof her for you.”

“Verywell,” Jellina smirked with a nod then looked to the Dark Fairy still floatingnext to her. “A message to General Rada,General Moria, General Faolan, Keiji of the Dragons and Galina of the Sirensabout the Enuria. Her name is ZoeyWalsh.”

Sunset...

Zoeysat on the bowsprit of the Mela Ear,staring at the sunset with Namir by her side now in dry, pirate clothes as sheexamined the pendant Erik had given her.

“What’sthat?” Namir wondered about the necklace and Zoey looked to her with a start.

“Justsomething Elias gave me,” she smiled. “Apparently it determined whether I was the Enuria or not.”

“It’svery pretty,” Namir nodded. “Does ithave a purpose?”

“I…don’tknow,” Zoey admitted. “I’m sure itprobably does.”

Shelet the necklace hang around her neck and stared out to sea with a sigh,wishing she were home.

“Youmiss you family?” Namir guessed and Zoey nodded. “You may see them again.”

“Namir,can I ask you something?” Zoey hoped and the elf nodded. “Has anyone who’s ever been called here goneback to where they came from?”

“Notthat I know of,” Namir replied. “Are youworried you won’t be able to go back to where you come from?”

Zoeynodded and the two remained silent as they gazed into the sea. Namir noticed Elias approaching them andpretended not to see him for a moment, but her attention was shot to her friendagain when she started singing. As Zoeystared out at the horizon, she didn’t even notice Namir switch spots with Eliasand when she finished the song, she jumped with a start when his arm wrappedaround her shoulders.

“Enjoyingthe sunset?” he wondered with a smile.

Zoeynodded and leaned her head on his shoulder, remaining silent for a momentbefore murmuring, “Erik?”

“Yes?”he answered.

“Isthere a reason you gave me this necklace?” she asked.

“Itwas meant for the Enuria. It is said toenhance your magic wielding abilities. That may be one of the reasons why you were able to use that spell withlittle to no practice.”

“Oh…”Zoey trailed off then murmured, “I see.”

Eliaslooked down at her then added, “You make that necklace even morebeautiful. It suits you.”

Shelooked up at him with glowing eyes and an ear to ear grin and she breathed,“Really? No one’s ever said anythinglike that to me before?”

“Thatcannot be true,” Elias smiled. “It’s too ridiculous. Anyone in their right mind can see howbeautiful you are.”

Zoeystared at him in disbelief and Elias swallowed, realizing what he’d said andcleared his throat before advising, “We should get to sleep. I’ll be taking you to Felix’s home in themorning.”

“W-What’sat Felix’s house?” Zoey wondered, realizing he wanted to change the subject.

“Training,”Elias replied. “You have to learn how tocontrol your newfound power.”

Zoeynodded as the two stood, carefully and Elias helped Zoey balance down thebowsprit to the deck. As she went tostep over the railing, her foot got caught, making her stumble forward and intoElias’s arms.

“Areyou alright?” he hoped.

Shelooked up into his hazel eyes and suddenly felt her legs start to give waybeneath her and before she knew it, Elias had swept her off her feet and into hisarms, as if sensing her unbalance. Shefelt a bit light-headed and guilty that she had to be carried toward Kaysar’scabin, but she said nothing.

“Idon’t know what’s wrong with me,” she breathed as he set her in the bed,sitting next to her on the mattress.

“You’rejust tired,” Elias guessed, pulling the covers over her. “It’s been a long day. I’ll be right outside the door if you needme.”

“Thankyou for everything, Elias,” she smiled tiredly, suddenly feeling sleepy.

“You’rewelcome, Zoey,” he smiled in return, lifting a hand to gently stroke her cheekand making Zoey’s heart skipped a beat. “Sleep well.”

“Goodnight, Zoey,” he murmured before standing and heading toward the door just asshe drifted to sleep.

The Next Morning...

Zoey’s eyes fluttered open only to beblinded by a beam of light to go back to sleep, but she rolled into abody. She looked up with a tired frownand immediately woke up when she saw Elias looking down at her with a warmsmile.

“Good morning, Angel,” he murmured andshe felt near to fainting when he placed a gentle, lingering kiss on herforehead.

“W-What—?” Zoey sputtered.

“I couldn’t stay away,” Elias smiled,stroking a strand of hair from her cheek. “You looked so peaceful, I didn’t want to wake you.”

He leaned toward her and Zoey hardly hadtime to react before she felt his lips against hers. She hardly had time to react before she felthis lips against hers and she was too shocked to move, or close her eyes, orkiss him back. A moment after she gentlypushed him away, making him stare at her in wonder.

“Elias,” she tried. “We can’t—”

He planted his lips to hers again, andthis time she melted into it, quickly.

Zoey’seyes shot open and she straight up with a gasp. The cabin was empty except for her and the sunlight pouring in throughthe windows. She looked around inconfusion, then touched her lips with her finger tips in thought. That dream had felt so real.

“Zoey?”

Shejumped when she heard Elias’s voice on the other side of the door and scrambledout of the bed as he knocked at the door.

“Comein, Elias,” she called, quickly combing her hands through her hair beforetrying to make the bed as the door slowly creaked open.

“Areyou ready to see Felix?” Elias wondered as he stood at attention in the middleof the room and Zoey stood to face him with a smile to nod. The dream she’d just had flashed through hermind and she instantly shot her gaze down to hide her blush, making Elias lookto her in wonder and step closer, asking, “Is something wrong?”

“No,”Zoey murmured, not looking at him until he was standing directly in front ofher and she looked up at him with wide eyes. “I…I had another dream about you last night.”

“Thatis to be expected,” Elias replied calmly, making Zoey frown in utter shock.

“Expected?”she echoed.

“Itis said the Enuria would often dream of her protector even after she has foundhim,” he nodded. “It would be her way ofwatching over him and warn him of dangers that might occur. May I ask what this dream was about?”

Zoeyfelt her heart thump in panic before she quickly laughed nervously, “Nothingimportant.”

Eriknodded then asked, “Perhaps we should set off to Felix’s now?”

“That’sa good idea,” she smiled with a nod.

Several Hours Later...

Eliasmade sure the synch was secure on the saddle of his horse as Zoey stroked thehorse’s neck, speaking softly to him.

“What’shis name?” she asked, not looking away from the horse.

“Phantom,”he replied, not looking away from his task.

“That’sa beautiful name for a beautiful animal,” Zoey smiled, scratching under thehorses chin, and his ears perked up toward her, making her giggle and reply,“Yup. You heard right. I called you beautiful. I bet you don’t hear that from Elias, do you?”

“Don’tmake his head any bigger than it is, please?” Elias chimed in, making Zoeygiggle before she looked back to Phantom, not noticing the smile Elias gave atmaking her laugh.

Hissmile grew when she began singing, softly and sweetly. Phantom’s ears flicked toward her when heheard her, and she giggled at him before continuing her song, but after anotherverse, she stared wide eyes at Elias when hebegan singing. She found her voice againthrough her shock and they sang together, Elias still not looking at her. Their gazes finally met when the song ended,and Zoey couldn’t believe how perfectly they had harmonized.

“Areyou ready?” he asked, snapping Zoey from her trance with him.

Shenodded and stepped toward him as he mounted his horse. He held a hand toward her to pull her up andswing her around to sit behind him. Hefelt his heart skip when she hesitantly wrapped her arms around him.

“Howfar is Felix’s home?” she wondered.

“Weshould be in the Istar Realm in thirty minutes or so,” Elias replied.

Shegave a squeak of surprise when he sent Phantom at a full gallop and she heldonto him for dear life. They rode insilent for what seemed like ages, Zoey bouncing behind Elias and still holdingonto him tightly until Phantom suddenly came to a stop, ramming her face intohis back and she looked over Elias’s shoulder to see why.

Therewas someone in the middle of the road.

Hestood tall with black hair that was cut short on top with a long, thin pony tailrunning down his back. His amber, almostred eyes glared at them and he was dressed in peasant clothes with an iron pipeon his belt.

“FaolanAberdene,” Elias growled lowly, making the man’s lips curl in an evil smirk andshowing off fangs. “A werewolf general.”

“GeneralBlackwood,” Faolan smirked. “What bringsyou this far into the woods with such a lovely female escort?”

“Nobusiness of yours, hound,” Eliasretorted, feeling Zoey’s arms wrap a little more tightly around him.

“Aren’tyou going to introduce me to the lady?” Faolan wondered, and Zoey shrunk behindElias.

“No,”Elias shot back.

“Whynot?” Faolan retorted. “Afraid I’llrealize who and what she is?”

Eliasdidn’t move but his mind went into a frenzy as he felt Zoey grip him eventighter out of fear.

“Ifshe has not introduced herself then she does not wish to meet you,” Elias smirked.

“ThenI’ll just have to introduce myself,” Faolan retorted. “I believe you’ve met my friend, Keiji,haven’t you, Blackwood?”

Outof nowhere, a black dragon flew over them, making Zoey scream as his tailflicked around to knock Elias unconscious. Phantom reared when Zoey screamed, making them fall to the ground andthe horse took off in a gallop down the road, Faolan stepping out of hisway. Zoey groaned as she got up from theground and scrambled toward Elias to try to shake him awake.

“Elias!”she called, not noticing Faolan approaching as Keiji floated to theground. “Elias! Wake up!”

Faolangrabbed her roughly by the arm and pulled her away from Elias, making her kickand scream as she tried to get away from him.

“Comeon, deary,” Faolan strained against her struggling. “Quit fighting and you won’t feel a thing.”

Zoeyfelt the blood drain from her face, realizing what he meant, but she quicklygathered her courage and stomped a heel into his foot. He howled in pain then spun her around toface him and backhand her, sending her to the ground. He loomed over her as she placed her hand onher cheek in disbelief. She had neverbeen slapped before, and Faolan allowed her to savor the stinging on herface. She glared up at him, seething asshe stood in her place.

“You’regoing to pay for that,” she groundout and lifted a hand toward him. “Caith!”

Faolanwas pushed back by an invisible force and into a tree, sliding to the groundand making him grunt in pain, but he quickly shook it away as he got to hisfeet.

“Verygood,” he groaned. “I should haveexpected as much from the one said to by the Enuria.”

“Youknow what I am?” Zoey breathed with wide eyes.

“Doyou?” Faolan retorted. “I’m told you’re the Enuria, but I, for one, don’t see how you could bethe Savior. You’re a mere woman.”

“Thenlet me show you what this ‘mere woman’ can do!” Zoey snapped. “Imíonn!”

Shesuddenly disappeared, and Faolan stiffened, glancing around. Something struck his shin, making him cry outand hop to hold his “injured” leg as he glared at Keiji.

“Areyou just going to sit there cleaningyour claws, or are you going to help me?!” he snarled at the dragon who was,indeed, cleaning his claws.

“Idid my part,” Keiji rumbled, not looking from his task. “You said youwould take care of the Enuria.”

“Fine,”Faolan growled, looking ahead of him again. “You want to fight dirty,little girl?”

Faolansearched the ground, pulling the iron pipe from his belt and thrusting it tohis side to extend it to a spear. Henoticed the dirt sinking into footprints and followed them with his eyes. After a moment, he swung his spear sidewaysand it hit Zoey. She reappeared as shewas flung toward a tree, slamming into it sideways and making her cry out inpain when she did. She sunk to theground and an ominous shadow surround her, making her look up to see Faolanapproaching her as Keiji loomed over her as well.

Now what? she thought, desperately.

“Aberdene!”

Alleyes turned to look around Keiji and Faolan to see Elias standing with hissword drawn and pointed at the werewolf.

“Not‘man’ enough to fight a male?!” he snapped, approaching him.

Zoeyslowly stood up as Faolan turned fully toward Elias, poising for battle withhis own weapon.

“Imight as well kill you,” he smirked, casually. “Jellina wants you dead, too.”

Helunged toward Elias, his spear pointed toward him and Elias blocked the attack,sparks flying when steel met iron. Metallic clangs rang through the quiet forest as Zoey kept an eye onKeiji who was watching the fight. Shejumped with a start but remained silent when she felt a hand settle on hershoulder and spun around with wide eyes to come face to face with a female withlong black hair and blue eyes with amber rings around the irises. The strange girl in a long, royal blue robeplaced a finger over her lips to signal Zoey to stay silent.

“Myname is Chanel,” she whispered, glancing between Zoey, Keiji and the fightbefore looking back at Zoey. “I’mFelix’s little sister. Come with me.”

Zoeynodded, remained silent before Chanel grabbed her wrist and tried to drag heraway. However, the red head was rootedto the ground.

“Iwon’t leave without Elias,” Zoey whispered.

“He’llbe fine,” Chanel assured her. “Mybrother is here, biding his time.”

Zoeywas finally pulled from her spot and deeper into the woods. Faolan noticed her disappear and shoved Eliasaway to stall.

“Keiji!”he shouted to the dragon. “Get the redhead!”

Eliascharged him and Faolan blocked the attack, expertly. Keiji flew into the air and followed thegirls as they ran through the forest. They didn’t get far before Keiji landed in front of them, blocking theirpath, the gust from the landing nearly sending them to the ground.

“Endof the line, ladies,” he growled with an evil smirk.

“Youforget who you’re dealing with,” Chanel snapped, then winked at Zoey beforecalling, “Eitilt!”

Shestarted floating in the air with Zoey hanging by her wrist with her before thered head called on the spell, and floated at Chanel’s side.

“Ican fly as well!” Keiji retorted and prepared to lift off, but Chanel was onestep ahead of him.

“Disappearon my signal,” Chanel whispered to Zoey then turned back to Keiji. “Bet you can’t do this…”

“Imíonn!”the girls shouted in unison and they disappeared, making Keiji frown up inconfusion.

Chanelpulled Zoey as she still held onto her wrist and they glided through the air,still invisible, toward Felix’s house, leaving Keiji still confused.

Meanwhile...

Elias’ssword clanged against Faolan’s spear as they still fought. Faolan swung his spear at Elias’s ankles,sending the Masked General to the ground and Faolan pointed his spear at Elias,grinning evilly as he caught his breath.

“You’redone, Blackwood,” Faolan growled.

“Notjust yet, Aberdene.”

Faolanlooked to his right to see Felix standing a few feet away, holding onto thereins of a familiar horse. Elias tookthis as an opportunity to hit Faolan’s spear away, knocking it completely outof the werewolf’s hand and Elias stood, pointing his sword at Faolan’s neck.

“Youdon’t have the guts to kill anunarmed male, Blackwood,” Faolan snarled.

“No,”Elias replied in a low voice. “I don’thave the heart.” He lowered his sword and continued, “Go tellyour Mistress you’ve failed. And tellher that I will not rest until she is defeated!”

Faolanglared at him, nodding reluctantly and Elias allowed him to pick up his spearto head toward the Castle Dae. Eliasmade sure he was out of sight before sheathing his sword and turning to Felixto take the reins of his horse.

“Wounded?”Felix asked and Elias shook his head as they both turned to head toward Felix’shome. “Chanel and Zoey should be at thehouse by now.”

“Thankyou for your help, Felix,” Elias said. “You were the perfect diversion.”

“Yes,well, I am here only to service you,General Blackwood,” Felix retorted then shot back, “Tell me, have you fallen inlove with our Savior yet?”

“Felix,you’ve gone mad,” Elias chuckled as they continued on their way.

“Youcan admit it,” Felix replied. “I won’ttell a soul.”

“Therewould be nothing to tell,” Elias lied, convincingly.

“Jackhas told me otherwise,” the wizard smirked. “He saw it in your eyes when you said good-bye to her on the ship.”

Eliasstopped and turned a glare to the wizard before replying, “Felix, I will never allow myself to fall in loveagain. Nor will I allow myself to thinkthat anyone could fall in love with me.”

“Yourpast will plague you all your life if you let it,” Felix warned as Elias turnedfrom him to continue down the road. “Ourpasts form us, they don’t control us. I’m sure if you told Zoey what happened—”

“Iwon’t tell her, Felix,” Eliassnapped. “I won’t put her throughit. I can’t show her what lies beneaththis mask.”