Scroll Three: Remembrance
By Richard LeBlanc
Within the warded protected area south of the main island rested the island known as the Enchanted Paradise. For sixteen years since the campaign of terror started by Chaos and his frenzied forces - the lands controlled by the djinns managed to remain free of the struggle.
But from the mountain peeks that surrounded the northern wall of the island - those that stood watch could see that the path of carnage and destruction was spreading outward. They cared not who they struck at. Benevolent - hostile - good evil - the frenzied dwarves mercilessly attacked all.
It was clear that it would only be a matter of time - before the war was brought to them.
At that moment - in the capital city of the idyllic paradise a lone girl sat in the library - blissfully unaware of the dark tidings that were heading her way like a distant wave that was picking up momentum.
She was Enchantress. The last of the line of Djinns known as the wish masters.
"You spend more time in here than most of the books," a soft voice stated. Enchantress looked up from her book and smiled as she saw Tydiss - the Dreaming Djinn - the matriarch of everything within the valley.
"I like to read," Enchantress stated as she closed the book.
"I did too when I was your age. I couldn't get enough. Worlds - both real and imaged all contained within a neatly bound format," Tydiss said as she sat down beside the young djinn. "What worlds intrigue my favorite Enchantress?" she teased.
"I don't think I have encountered one yet that hasn't enthralled me - is that odd?" she asked curiously. Tydiss smiled as she took the book from the teen.
"Not in the slightest," she replied as she looked over at her. "Your friend Mina tells me that you have been having some bad dreams," she stated. Enchantress sighed and lowered her eyes. "If you do not wish to talk about it," she added.
"I don't know what to make of what I see when I close my eyes," Enchantress began.
"Tell me what you have seen," the dreaming djinn requested.
"So - many odd things and people. I have seen dragons and wizards and weird monsters," Enchantress began. Tydiss leaned back and studied the teen's face as she spoke. "Some of which are - scary. I know it is just a dream but," the girl began.
"You say you saw - wizards?" Tydiss asked.
"I think that was what they were," Enchantress replied.
"What were they like?" Tydiss asked. Enchantress looked over at the woman that was asking all the questions. "Humor me? I have a suspicion but I would like to know before saying something I shouldn't," she requested. Enchantress sighed and closed her eyes.
"I don't know - all I know is that - they hated me - all of them did. And they were strong. They wanted to hurt me - badly. I - I remembered one - he - he had a bird and he made stuff," she began. Tydiss nodded. "Another - he had like this spider thing and looked really creepy," she continued.
"Two for two," Tydiss muttered to herself.
"The last one - she was - a strange girl. I think she like wanted to - be with me," Enchantress added as she opened her eyes and saw the serious look on Tydiss' face. "You - you know these people - don't you?" she asked.
"How long have you been having these dreams?" she asked.
"I don't know - a couple of months?" she replied unsure of the exact time.
"Around the time of your sixteenth birthday by any chance?" she asked.
"How - how did you know?" she timidly asked.
"I knew this day would come - I just had no idea - it would be so soon. What you saw in your dreams - they were not dreams - they were memories. Of a life you once lived - and a person - you once were," Tydiss replied as she got up. "Walk with me and I will tell you of the wizards you saw," she offered. Enchantress got up and escorted the young djinn from the library. As they walked - numerous guards patrolled the halls.
"Who were they?" Enchantress asked.
"The one with the bird. He was a tortured soul that went by the alias Toy Maker," Tydiss began. With a wave of her hand - a ghostlike image of the legendary wizard appeared before them.
"That's him!" Enchantress stated.
"I know - this is who you say - and that is who he was. He was an artificer of notable ability. His devices and mastery of that form of magic earned him a reputation he did not want. He was one of the few wizards that - desired nothing more than to be left alone," Tydiss stated.
"But why did he hate me?" she asked.
"He - didn't hate you - he hated - who you were. I will get to that a little later," Tydiss pointed out as Enchantress looked up at the serious looking wizard. "He was lured to this - area - by the promise of the potential - of having a place to make his palace - a place he could call home. His dream - and the love of the woman he met - and grew to know - cost him his life," she added.
"How sad," Enchantress said. Tydiss held her hand and walked her away from the ghostly image. Once they were passed it - it vanished. "Who were the others?" she hesitantly asked. Tydiss sighed as they stopped by a balcony. With a wave of her hand - Lord Arachnid appeared. Enchantress hid behind her.
"He isn't real. He like Toy Maker died quite some time ago. He was from a school - a theology that followed the path and power of the spider. A spider mage if you will. His name was Lord Arachnid. He - like Toy Maker was lured here - albeit for different reasons," she began.
"Why did he come here?' Enchantress asked.
"He was looking for - a lost spider," she answered.
"He was looking for a bug? Ick!" Enchantress replied. Tydiss quietly laughed.
"To him - spiders were like people - family. He felt closer to them than he did humans or his peers that knew magic. His hatred - led him to a zealous fury that cost him his life in a - costly war with Toy Maker," she continued.
"He hated me too? In my dreams - he really wanted me dead," Enchantress stated. Tydiss waved her hand at the image - Lord Arachnid vanished.
"Like before - he hated who you were - not you. In your past life - you acquired a lot of power - and a lot of enemies," Tydiss began as an Image of an adult Markys in her battle armor appeared before them. "None - quite so much like her," she continued.
"I couldn't understand what I saw with her. Some moments it was like she loved me - others she wanted me dead. I think she scared me more than the others," she pointed out. Tydiss nodded. As another djinn headed their way.
"Enchantress? I was worried. Was she spending more time in the library?" Enchantress's mother asked curiously. Tydiss blinked as she studied the djinn that had just spoken.
"Why didn't you tell me she was having these dreams sooner? And why was I not told by you?" she asked politely. Enchantress watched as her mother lowered her eyes. "This is serious," she added.
"I know. Believe me I know. I just - hoped and prayed that - the day would never come," she replied sincerely.
"What are you talking about?' Enchantress asked.
"When you were born - sixteen years ago. There were - unique circumstances surrounding the event," Tydiss began.
"You mean like my father?" she asked.
"In a manner of speaking. The person you were - in the life before you became who you are today. He sacrificed himself - and made a wish - that wish was you," her mother replied.
"He did that for me?" Enchantress asked.
"There is more to it than that. This - is who you were," Tydiss began as she waved her hand. Before the three appeared a regal - noble - handsome looking wizard. Enchantress found herself blushing as she looked at him. "Handsome devil wasn't he?" she asked. Enchantress did her best to not stare.
"I - I wasn't - a nice person - was I? This - beauty - all of it - it was just skin deep," Enchantress said as she studied the image of the man before her. Tydiss sighed as she leaned against the wall behind her.
"He did a lot of things that hurt a lot of people. He made a lot of enemies because of his actions. But - I knew him - I saw - his soul. He was a good man -he just ended up on the wrong path," Tydiss answered.
"What did he do to make Toy Maker and Lord Arachnid hate him?" Enchantress asked.
"He had a bad habit of using women. To get what he wanted be it spells - items or in many cases their charms. Toy Maker - he grew close to a past acquaintance he had - treated badly. He acted as he did to protect her - to ensure that Enchanter - didn't hurt her again," Tydiss explained.
"And the other one?" Enchantress hesitantly asked.
"It was strange with him. Markys - she actually grew to love Lord Arachnid. The love went both ways. Lord Arachnid hated Enchanter - because - he thought - he was using Markys," she answered.
"How could I have been such a horrible person?" Enchantress asked as she slumped down to her knees. Both her mother and Tydiss knelt down before her.
"Enchanter wasn't to blame - not wholly. He was - raised without the proper guidance. To save him when the war overwhelmed us all - he was - sent to a place where he could be safe. He lived his life among humans - and wizards. What he learned - about how to treat people - he learned from - less than noble people," Tydiss explained.
"But still," Enchantress began.
"He paid for what he did Enchantress. He spent his life - alone. Even among the crowds of people he amused and enchanted - there was no solace for him. He knew - he was - different - but - had no idea why. Only in the moments before his death did he learn the truth. And then it was too late," Tydiss explained.
"I don't understand," Enchantress began.
"I know this is a lot to take in. But - in the end - he wished to atone for some of his past deeds. He wanted to help - he wanted to save someone he believed worth saving," her mother began.
"Be fair," Tydiss warned.
"How can I be fair? You are asking me to let my daughter risk her life to help that - demon," the mother protested. Enchantress watched as the two argued the issue.
"What? What demon? I don't understand," Enchantress asked quietly. The two djinns stopped arguing and looked over at the distant look on Enchantress's face.
"The other wizard you saw? The woman. She was Markys. She - envied the power you once had. And she blamed him for the path she chose," her mother replied.
"She was once like us - a djinn that dwelled within this very city. But to get a taste of power - a taste brought on by envy and greed. She chose to deal with a demon. As much as I love her - she - is no longer welcome here," Tydiss began.
"If so - why?' the mother began.
"Why are you getting so upset?" Enchantress hesitantly asked.
"Tell her," Tydiss said calmly.
"His dying wish - was to be reborn in a form - that could help save Markys from herself. That my dear precious child - is you," her mother answered. Enchantress was mildly stunned by the statement.
"He - wanted to help her? Even though she hated him?" Enchantress asked.
"Even in spite of the fact that she killed him," her mother added. "She might try to kill her too," she pointed out.
"The choice is not ours to make," Tydiss stated.
"So - these dreams - these memories - are - like his way of saying - go help her?" she asked curiously.
"What happened in a life before - does not bind you. As your mother stated - Markys did kill Enchanter. She has made pacts with demons - and she has brought a lot of suffering to many - many people. But - you - you saw something in her that - you believed was worth saving," Tydiss stated diplomatically.
"Is there?" Enchantress asked.
"I know she is hurting. I know she is suffering. But - my heart - it is clouded - as she is my sister. You would have to meet her - to find that out for yourself. The choice is yours dear Enchantress," Tydiss said as she brushed the back of her hand against the teen's cheek. "Whichever path you choose - we will support - and not - question," Tydiss stated - looking at her mother.
"Choose?" Enchantress asked.
"If you wish to help her - you would have to leave paradise. The world beyond the mountains - is a cold place. People hurt each other - there is hate - suffering," the mother began but sighed. "But - there is beauty out there too - there is love - and joy. I just want what is best for you daughter," her mother stated with a smile.
"Just because it was the wish - of another person - in another life. That does not mean you are bound by it. You can stay here. Explore - the vast universe that is contained within the countless books in my library. You can live your life here - among your sisters - and family - without care - worry - or any hardship," Tydiss began. "But - to do that - you would be casting aside - a person - who may need you. A person - who you saw something special in. to ignore it -may surely kill her," she added.
"What should I do?" Enchantress asked. Her mother was going to speak - but Tydiss motioned for her to remain silent.
"That - is up to you," Tydiss replied.
"I - I don't think I could live with myself - if someone died because of me. Especially if there was some good in her," she began. Her mother sighed. "When would I have to go?" she asked.
"That would be up to you. This is your quest. You could leave today - within the week - or year. However important you believe it to be - is when you should leave," Tydiss suggested as she got up and extended her hands to Enchantress.
"I should go soon then. Something tells me - she is in serious danger," she replied.
"One thing. And this - is very important," Tydiss began getting the teen's complete attention. "At no time are you to tell her who you were - or how you came to be - or any of what we have just spoken of. She is my sister - but if she thinks you are him - she will slay you as soon look at you," Tydiss warned.
"We will wait for your return," her mother added as she got up.
"You - aren't coming?" Enchantress asked.
"This is your quest - not ours. Our place is here. If you need speak with me - you have but to close your eyes - and open your heart - and I will be there for you," Tydiss replied as she gave her a hug.
"If you need anything from home - it is yours okay?" her mother said as she hugged her daughter - trying not to break down.
"What if I can't save her?" she asked
"Out there - is a real world. there are no absolutes. All you can do is try your very best - and hope - and pray. Some of the times you will succeed others fail. All you can do is learn. And I know for a fact that you learn very fast," Tydiss said with a smile.
"I guess I should go then," Enchantress said as she flew away.
"I'm sorry," her mother whispered to Tydiss.
"I understand - but this was something she had to do. She is strong - believe in her," Tydiss replied confidently.
"But she is innocent - out there is a world that may corrupt her - or hurt her," she pointed out. Tydiss nodded.
"But - it may make her stronger instead of breaking her. Trust in her. You raised her well," she whispered.
"How - how bad is the fighting on the mainland?" the mother hesitantly asked.
"Give or take - I give it a few weeks before the armies of Chaos reach us. If we have enough to withstand him - I don't know. Time will tell," she answered quietly.
"She is going out into that," the mother pointed out.
"All we can do is hope. Without hope - there is nothing. Come - there is much that needs to be done," Tydiss reassured as the two walked away - talking about other matters and trying not to worry about the world that Enchantress - was about to enter.
To Be Continued...
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