War for Uyrilia
Prologue

“Mama!” A little girl cried out as the room, she andher twin brother shared, flashed as was power sent flying. She looked terrified as the older womantwisted and flicked her hand at the girl.

“No!” Hermother screamed as she quickly shielded the little girl, making her cry out inpain. When the light faded, she lookeddown at her five-year-old daughter. “Goget your father.”

“But… Jace wont wake up.” She said looking back at her brother still inhis bed.

“He’ll be okay. Go now.” Her mother took a deepbreath as she stood, turning to face the evil woman. “You’ve gone mad with power, Zinnia. What do you think you can accomplish?”

“I will take back what’s mine. I will have their power and let my son start anew. That is what I will accomplish, Saffron.”

“Jax would never allow that. How can you so easily attempt to kill yourown grandchildren?”

“I will have their power!” Zinnia called as she andSaffron began their fight once again. “You cannot stop me!” She yelled,throwing her hand straight out. Saffrondid not have time to block as a white sword shaped light extended from Zinnia’spalm, imbedding deep within Saffron’s abdomen. Saffron dropped to her knees as the shock of what happened hit her. “I told you I would have it.” Zinnia stepped over Saffron as she fell tothe ground.

“No… Zinnia please… They’re just children… they haven’t tapped their true powers yet…please…” She pleaded as she pushed up,trying to force her body to get up.

Zinnia walked over with a smirk as she pushed herback down with her shoe. “I will have itall the same.”

She held her hand out, facing Saffron. “No!” Suddenly Zinnia flew across the room. “Saff…” A man with brown haircrowned with a golden circle ran to her side. Dropping to his knees, he looked at the blood spilling onto thefloor. Tears began to gather in his darkbrown eyes.

“Don’t Jax…” Saffron said weakly as tears gathered in her light brown eyes.

“I’ll save you. Just… just hang on.” He tried tostop the bleeding, failing miserably.

“Jax…” Shegently removed his hands from her wounds. “It won’t work… she used Life Nova.”

“No…” Heshook his head. She gently touched hischeek. “Jaxton, listen to me…” She was running out of time, “I need you todo something… I want you to take my body to hallows gate crypts… You need to use the conceneration barriospell…”

“No… Saff, you’ll…”

“I’m not going to make it my love… please do thisone last thing for me… Once it’s done,take the children away. The barrior…will protect them and keep them hidden… I will be able to protect ourchildren…”

“Saffron…”

“Please…” Jaxton nodded. “Thank-you… I willalways love you… I’ll always be with you…” Jaxton pulled her closer as she fought for breath. He just sat holding his wife as her lifedrained away. His father and brothermoved to his sides, no one noticing as Zinnia slipped away.

“She’s gone.” The older man with salt and pepper hair and beard said.

Jaxton pulled away as he collected himself gently liftingher body. “Take care of Jace and Liliana.” He said sternly as he left.

“Arthur, go get Lily from Maximus. I’ll look after Jace.” His son nodded and left, trying to blink awaythe tears in his dark brown eyes.

“What happened?” Maximus asked, a man with black hair and grey eyes, he sat holding thesleeping girl. “Where’s Jax. Is Saffron alright?”

At that, Arthur could only shake his head before hefound his voice. “She used life nova, noone could save her. Jax is taking her toHollows gate Crypt. He’s going to usethe concentration barrior. It’ll put upa barrior to cloak the children’s growing magic and protect them from mostspells. Saffron’s way of continuing towatch over them.

“They’re going to be devastated.” Maximus said looking at the little girl.

“We’ll clear their minds.” Jaxton said as he walked in, his son in hisarms and his father beside him. “Max, Iwant you to go to earth. We’ll stopmemories of thought until they’re old enough to handle it. You will take them to earth and train themwhile pretending to be their uncle who took them in after their parents werekilled in a car crash. My mother willhunt Uyrilia, she’ll never expect me to send them away and definitely not toearth.”

“Jaxton, are you sure? You’ll be losing the time watching them growup.” His father said.

“Christoph is right-.” Maximus started.

“I know what I’m losing. Do you think I’ve made this diction lightly?”

“No, that’s not what we’re saying.” Maximus said standing carefully o as to notwake the girl in his arms. “If you want…you know we would all protect them.”

“I know.” Hesighed in defeat. “They’ll be betterprotected farther away, and I know you’ll keep them safe and teach them whatthey need to know.” Maximus nodded. “Thank-you, old friend.”

“I’ll block the memory.” Christoph said reaching out to block thesounds Jace had heard before going to Liliana and suppressing the events shehad seen.

“The sooner you go the better.” Jaxton told hisfriend. I’ll help you get to thathouse.”

Christoph took Liliana while Maximus went to gatherhis own son. “We’ll all get throughthis. She won’t get away with what she’sdone.”

“She’s getting into the forbidden arts.” Arthur mused. “She’s going to so whatever she can to try win.”

“She’s not going to.” Jaxton said. “I’ll be damned if she gets her hands on my children. Saffron won’t have died for nothing.”

Maximus walked back in with his sleepy eyed son inhis arms. “It’s a big jump; I’ll giveyou a hand.” Arthur said taking hisniece from his father. “Let’s go.”

The three men stood in a circle holding the childrenas they began their spell to teleport them to earth.

“I wish to locate to another world. Lend me a bridge to walk through space. Locate the land to go and move.” They blinked and looked around at theirchanged surroundings. “Looks like wemade it.” Arthur mused. “Good thing we did it together. That took a lot of power.”

“I think it pulled from the twins as well.” Jaxton commented as he left to lay his sondown having the other two follow. “Youshould have everything you need. Saffronand I kept it stocked in case we ever had time to come with the twins. If you need anything you know how to contactme.” Maximus nodded and watched asJaxton leaned down and kissed each twin on the forehead. “Take good care of my children.”

“As if they were my own.” Maximus and Jaxton hugged before Jaxton andArthur took themselves back to Uyrilia.

“Jace!” Calleda sixteen-year-old girl. She sighedshaking her head making her long light brown hair sway back and forth. She closed her golden eyes.

Jace snapped his eyes open, sitting up holding hishead. “Okay! I’m up you can stop youmind spike!” he yelled before climbingfrom his bed to get ready for the day.

“You shouldn’t use your powers like that.” Liliana turned to replace Arthur leaning againstthe doorframe.

“Uncle!” Shesmiled and hugged him. “What are youdoing here?”

“He’staking me to Uyrilia.” Maximus saidjoining them. “We have some business totake care of. It’s nothing to worryabout.” Maximus waved her off.

Arthurgave a soft sigh and looked at his father who gave a small nod. “There’s been some trouble in thecourts. We are going to go back and getit worked out, but in the mean time, you three need to stay here, safe andhidden. She’s on a rampage again.”

“Howmany rampages can that crazy woman go on?” Alexander asked.

“Zinniahas a massive amount of magic but wants the power we hold to take over, she’sgoing to do whatever it takes to replace us.” Liliana said before looking at the three men. “What makes you think she doesn’t havesomeone looking on earth for us?”

“With our power, even though they haven’t fullyunlocked, there’s no way a searcher will miss the smell of our power. We’re too powerful to be just some familyfrom Uyrilia who relocated.” Jaceadded. “How are we supposed to pretendwe’re normal humans from earth with crazy people chasing after us shooting offbeams of light and shouting nonsense?”

“Be careful. Your magic is getting more and more powerful. We don’t know how long the barrior the two ofyou have will last. Keep your eyes openfor anything. You guys know therules.” She and Alexander nodded as Jacejoined them. “Make sure you ALL go to school and work on yourtraining.”

“We know, we know.” Liliana waved him off.

“We’ll be fine, dad.” Alexander rolled his sea green eyes. Maximus nodded and turned to Arthur whostarted the spell to take them back to Uyrilia.

“Okay, time for a party!” Liliana smiled as the boys looked at eachother. “Come on, we’ll be late forschool.” She giggled as she left theboys sighing in relief as they followed making their way to school.

The day was almost over; Liliana was still schemingto try to talk the boys into a little party with their friends. “Lily.” She heard looking over as her brother furrowed his brow. “You okay?”

“I’m fine.” She waved off his concern as the teacher entered the classroom followedby a few straggling students. Her eyescaught sight of the new kid who had just started earlier in the day. She had been wracking her brain to figure outwhy she felt like she knew him.

Her eyes unfocused and her mind drifted away as theteacher started class.

“Lily,” Her mother said with a bright smile as shebent down to talk to her as Jace came to her side dressed in a dark blue v-neckshirt and black dress pants tucked into black boots. “We’re going to meet the ruling family ofKothus. I need you to be on your bestbehavior, both of you. You think you cando that?” Jace nodded but Lilianatwisted her lips as if thinking. “Do itfor me?” Liliana nodded, giving in.

“Thefamily will see you now.” A servantbowed.

Jaxtonand Saffron walked in with the children in front of them. “May I present King Jaxton, Queen Saffron andtheir children, Princess Liliana and Prince Jace.” A second servant introduced. The family bowed to those sitting on thethrones.

“Ithas been too long.” The womansmiled. “It’s good to meet those twinseveryone has been talking about.” Shestood with her husband beside her. “Myhusband, Deimos.”

“Itis good to travel to your lands again.” Jaxton gave a small smile.

“MayI introduce my children, Robert, Marc and Ryan.”

“Ithas been a while; they are growing up into fine young princes.”

“Wehave a banquet in your honor set to begin tonight. If you’d like to freshen up after yourtravels I’ll have a servant show you to your rooms.”

“Mostgracious.” Jaxton bowed and turnedescorting his family to their chambers.

Lilianafidgeted in her light pink dress as the Banquet started, her brother sat besidetheir mother, off to the side before he got up and began a game with the otherchildren.

“Hey,don’t you want to play with them?” Askeda little boy with sandy colored hair and crystal blue eyes, “I’m Robert. You’re Liliana, right?”

“Youcan call me Lily.”

“So,Lily, why aren’t you playing?”

“’Causeit’s stupid.”

Robertsmirked. “Want to go outside andplay?” Liliana thought a moment before noddingand following him out to the courtyard. The two ran around giggling and laughing, playing in the bushes andclimbing trees.

Liliana sat up straighter as her eyes refocused onthe classroom. She looked over at theteenager who sat drawing in his notebook. She realized why his appearance had nagged at her; it was the boy shehad played with that night.

“MissGrather.” Liliana turned to look at theteacher in the front of the class as the other students looked at her. “If youwould like to stay awake for class I would like you to solve the nextproblem.” The teacher looked at her witha small smirk as he realized it was a far more complicated problem than theyhad ever worked on before.

Lilianalooked at it on the board and sighed. “Three thousand twenty-seven.” The teacher looked back at the board before looking back at her tellingher it was correct. Liliana shot a quickglare at Alexander beside her who was trying to hide his laughter.

“Yes,well I think that’s enough. Work on page375.” He announced and walked towardshis desk as Alexander snorted. “Is theresomething funny, Mr. Saur?” He glared atthe teen.

“Me?” Alexander asked, looking up at the teacher.

“That’syour name isn’t it?” He askedsarcastically.

Alexander shrugged. “Well-.” Jace coughed making himstop. “Yeah, it’s funny how you alwayspick on Lily to do the hard ones thinking she can’t do it.” Suddenly the bell rang and the class nearlyran from the room before the teacher could respond.

You’regoing to get us in trouble with your dad, or worse you’ll have to explain to mydad how a world removed from magic discovered it and our world.” Liliana shook her head. “I’ll catch up with you guys; I forgotsomething in my locker.” She toldAlexander and Jace. She went to herlocker and stood as her mind drifted to the new student. What did it mean? Was he here to get information for Zinnia?

A hand clasped over her mouth as she was turned tolean against the lockers. “Don’t befrightened. I’m not going to hurt you.”

“What do you want?” She demanded as he removed his hand from her mouth.

“I just want to talk.”

“Yeah right. I know who you are.” She narrowedher eyes.

“So you remember…” He looked at her. “Then you knowabout who you are.”

“Of course I know who I am. If you’re not here to hurt me then move outof my way.”

“We need to talk.”

“Fine. Thenas your superior, the princess of Shiofale and an heir to the rule of Atren getout of my way.” The two stood, glaringat each other.

“You always were stubborn.” He smirked and took a step back. “Things have changed since you and yourbrother were hidden away. The oncebright and beautiful Stregamna Castle is a little more than a rundown pub forZinnia and her minions. Shiofale is nolonger a happy place to live. Thedarkness is growing and soon it will over shadow all of Atren. Eventually all of Uyrilia will be stolen.”

Liliana stood, looking at him a moment beforeshaking her head. “That’s a lie. If things had gotten that bad my father wouldhave said something.”

“Would he? Hesent you away to keep you from Zinnia, you really think he would tell you andbring you back?”

“Why are you telling me?”

“Because, as you stated, you are princess ofShiofale and an heir to the rule of Atren. There are innocent lives being ruined. All because of you and your brother. It’s been over ten years but the princess I knew didn’t want anyone hurtbecause of her.” Liliana just looked athim as he backed away and left.

She quickly went to catch up with her brother andfriend. “You okay?” Alexander asked.

“I just… do you think something happened backhome? I mean we haven’t heard from yourdad or ours. Dad hasn’t visited in awhile.”

“Why the sudden worry?” Jace asked watching Liliana just shook herhead, “Come on, let’s get home. I’m sureeverything’s fine.”

“I guess.” Shesighed as she walked with them towards their house only a few blocks away. “Do you really think dad’s okay?”

“I’m sure everything’s fine.” Alexander assured her.

Jace nodded. “He just got lost in his piles of papers. He’ll visit soon.” He reached out and nudged her arm making herlook up with her golden brown eyes with a small smile. For being twins, the two barely lookedanything alike. They were mostly takenas boyfriend and girlfriend, which made Alexander hysterically laugh.

Lilianasighed, deciding to leave it for now at least. “We have to do something fun.” Lily tried talking the two boys into having a party with a few friendsbut the two stood firm. “You two areseriously no fun.” She pouted as theycontinued walking towards the park where they were going to meet up with a fewfriends.

“Youknow if we’re caught what my dad would do to us.” Alexander told her, shaking his head as shecrossed her arms and pretended not to pay attention to them. “Lil.” Alexander said quickly as he stopped. He grabbed Jace’s arm to stop him but Lily ignored the two and continuedwalking. “Lily.” He tried again.

“I’mnot listening to you.” She said stillpretending to ignore him.

“Liliana!” He said harshly making her stop in hertracks. It was a name no one used, aname long forgotten. Even when she wouldget into trouble as a child Alexander would just call her Lily. She turned to look at Alexander to replace outwhy he would call her by that name. Alexander slowly reached his hand out towards her. “Come over here very slowly.” Lily slowly followed his line of sight andcame face to face with a tall figure dressed in all black. His brown eyes looked dark with shaggy brownhair falling over his haunting features. He eyed the three and began to grin. “Lil…” Alexander trailed off asshe slowly started walking backwards towards the two boys.

“Well, well, well. Look who we have.” They heardmaking them stop and look at the alley. “You’ve grown up a lot but I’ll never forget the faces of my littleniece and nephew.”

“Do we know you?” Liliana was the first to recover.

“You don’t remember your uncle? I’m hurt.”

“Youmust be confused old man.” Lily told himand watched as anger came to his dark eyes.

“Old?! I am not an old man!” He called out.

“Youlook like an old man.” Lilyshrugged.

Theanger blazed and turned the man’s face red but instead of yelling, he justgrinned evilly at the teens. “You wantto see an old man you should see your father.”

“My father?” Lily whispered before looking at him angrily. She knew her father but knew she and herbrother were supposed to be in hiding. The longer she played stupid the longer they might have a chance to getout. “I thought my father only had onebrother. He took us in after our parentsdied in a car crash.” Liliana lookedshocked. The man glared at her as iftrying to figure out if she was telling the truth or not.

Helaughed and Lily made fists at her sides. “Your mother was destroyed but your father is still very muchalive. Although, I don’t know why motherallows him to breathe.” He mused. Lily took a stop forward but Alexandergrabbed her arm and pulled her back behind him.

“You’llnever win.” Liliana smirked looking athim. “It took you how long to track usdown and you really think you have us?” She laughed at his face.

“You’renot getting away this time. It was onlybecause of those sneaky pests Jaxton and Christoph that you were able to sneakaway in the first place.” He turned hiseyes on Jace and Lily. “It’s like takingcandy from a baby.” He grinned again andstared towards the three.

“Youwon’t win.” Alexander said as he steppedforward. “My dad will be-.”

“Yourdad is rotting Along with the ‘King’.” He laughed at the shocked face of Alexander as Liliana and Jacegasped. Alexander took a breath beforehe slowly stepped back a hand on each of the teens, bringing them withhim. “I don’t think so. You think I’ll waist the chance to bring mymother such a brilliant present?” Helaughed as he leveled his dark gaze on Lily and Jace. He grinned before throwing his hand out,shooting a yellow beam at the three. Liliana waved her hand making the beam disappear. The man grinned evilly.

“Well… would you look at that.” He eyed them. “I think I’ll bring you home and we can have a nice family reunion.”

“Like hell I’m going anywhere with you!” Liliana hollered at the man.

“Oh so you do know me.”

“I know you’re the evil lap dog to Zinnia, Uncle Kalman.” He grinned as Liliana shifted.

“Lily we need to get out of here, we can’t fighthim.” Alexander warned.

“He’s not that bad. I’ll take him down.” She narrowedher eyes.

“Now that’s the spirit!” Kalman laughed, “Come at me, little girl!”

Liliana lunged but was pulled away. Looking behind her, she found Robert holdingher around the waist. “Do you want todie?” He scolded. “You go attacking and you’ll be killed.”

“I don’t care! He was in on the attack that killed my mother!” She struggled to get loose as Jace clenchedhis fists.

“You die and Uyrilia would really be lost, do youcondemn millions of innocent people?” Robert said in her ear softly. “Iswear I will help you get your revenge. But not today. Please.” Liliana looked over her shoulder and crystalmet gold. They looked at each other amoment longer before Liliana felt her anger calming. There was something in his gaze that made herrelaxing. She gave a slight nod and hisarm around her waist relaxed, letting go.

“Let’s go.” Alexander said before they quickly ran.

“My brothers are waiting to help.” Robert said as he made his way with the three. “We need to split up. We’ll meet up on the other side. One go right, one go left, we’ll go down thecenter.” The two teens nodded beforequickly scattering. Robert pulled her tothe side into a dark alley.

“Why are you helping us?” She asked.

Robert gave a small smirk. “Because… there’s something about you. You’ve made an impression on me.” He grabbed her hand. “Come on.” The two ran through the streets before running into the others.

“Everyone ready?” Alexander asked. “We better dothis quick, before he replaces us.” The sixstarted the spell to send the back to Uyrilia.

“I won’t let you go that easily!” A white light surrounded them before theylanded hard on the ground.

“Everyone alright?” Alexander asked as he got to his feet.

“What happened?” Jace asked holding his head. “Where are we?”

“Who are you?” Liliana asked quickly getting to her feet and backed up.

“What are you talking about?” Alexander furrowed his brow. “Lil, this is no time for games.”

“What games? I have no idea who you are.” Liliana stepped back again.

“What happened?” Alexander mused.

“The light.” Robert offered. “It could be aforget spell.”

“Why didn’t it affect us?” Alexander asked

“They were blocking us.” Robert offered as his brothers watched. “Can you remove it?”

Alexander shook his head. “I don’t have the power. If we had one of them… I’ll take them totheir uncle. My dad said he has some secret cabin. We can hide there while get Arthur.”

“Well it looks like we’re in the GloomfordRuins. I hope that cabin’s close. With them not remembering and Kalman on theloose…” The youngest of the brotherssaid.

“Ryan, you and Marc go back and report tomother. I’ll help them get to thecabin.” Robert said.

“No, you have your own things to handle.” Alexander looked at the two. “I can handle it.”

“Are you sure?” Robert asked and watched him nod. “Alright I guess we’ll meet again another time.” Alexander nodded as the three brothers left.

“Okay. I’myour friend, Alexander. We’ve beenfriends since we were kids. You’rebrother and sister. Twins actually,Liliana and Jace. I know about where thecabin is. I’ll get you there and break this ridiculous spell.”

“How exactly do we get there when we don’t even knowour own names?” Jace asked.

“I’ll handle it.” Alexander said looking towards the building in the distance. “Let’s get started, shall we?”

Whenthey got to the city Alexander had them wait while he got clothing for themthen led the way to an inn. “So what arewe going to do now?” Lily asked in ahushed tone

“Firstwe get a room then we’ll work it out.” He told her as they walked up to the counter.

“Whydon’t we remember any of this?” Lilianaasked frustrated at the fact that she could not remember anything aboutherself.

Alexandergave a small smirk as he looked between them. “You remember everything, it’s all there. The spell he used just is blocking it. I’ll get you to your uncle and everythingwill be back the way it was.”

“Thatmakes no sense at all.” Liliana shookher head. “I don’t remember anything.”

“So when I was talking here you didn’t have anyfeeling like you knew the language or anything?” He watched as they just shrugged at him. “That’s what I thought. It’s all there, it’s just hidden. Now come here, I got this map from the innkeeper.” He unrolled a piece ofparchment. “Okay, we’re here, Esok. My father told me about hidden cabins foryour family. Your uncle has one here onthe other side of the harbor. If thingsare as bad as they say, he’ll be there. I’ll get a ferry in the morning and we can get this all worked out.”

“I guess we better sleep then.” Jace said as he looked at the blankets off tothe side. The three went to the beds andgot what sleep they could.

The next morning they were gathering their thingswhen they heard screaming. “Oh no.” Liliana said looking from the window.

Alexander came to her side. “Damn. We have to move. Now.” The three quickly ran from the inn, blendingin with the villagers as they ran from the man who was exploding buildings,forgetting about trying to get a ferry they decided to make their way aroundthe harbor instead.