Century Lost

White. Everything around them was painted in the cold embrace of snow. A blanket so thick one could barely see in front of them as the snow harshly fell. The group, small and battered, consisted of seven people. Three women and four men, all varying in appearance but what made them stand out aside from their wounds were the masks eight of them wore concealing half their faces. Even as they ran the masks were firmly affixed to their faces. Still, they all ran. They were being pursued by another group much larger than theirs. They were in the process of fleeing their kingdom.

“Hurry!” one of the women called slightly ahead of the others. Her face was concealed by a fox mask and had blood dripping down her arm from a large wound as she ran.

As they ran the sole person without a mask fell. Her body racked with shockwaves. The woman was covered in wounds. She coughed up blood gasping with every breath she took. She had little strength left feeling the energy inside her surging. ‘Not yet!’ she thought to herself as she wiped the blood from her mouth.

“Your Masjesty!” The other woman in a snake mask called.

All eight stopped worry on their faces. They turned ready to help their Empress to her feet. They were her most loyal after all.

“Stop!” the woman’s voice was commanding as she held out a hand to stop them. She struggled to stand on her own but with what she could muster for strength she managed. With one hand she weakly held out two fingers waving them slightly as a beautifully intricate wall appeared runes and glyphs dancing on the invisible surface between her and the rest of the party.

“What are you doing!?” a bird masked man stepped forward. “Drop the barrier,” he spoke forcefully.

Shaking her head and dusting off her clothes the woman, their Empress stood still and poised. “This is my kingdom and this is as far as I’ll go,”she stated. “

“Then we will also stay,” the bird mask said.

“You will go,” her voice was firm. “That is your final order, as my most loyal I expect you to follow it.”

“But…” A wolf masked man took a step forward as well. “Your Majesty, we can’t just leave you.”

“You living outweighs my life,” she shook her head. “And as long as my Kingdom still stands I will not abandon it.” She glanced behind her as the sound of howls came into earshot. “Now go, it is a command from your ruler.” A gentle smile passed her lips. “And I shall not see you in death until you’re all old and gray,”

Their was a moment of silence and hesitation. None wanted to leave.

A tiger masked man bowed to her. “Understood. It has been an honor, Your Majesty, Lady Morgana, until we meet again.” The man glanced to the other bird masked man giving a nod.

The second bird mask bowed then turned to the first and pulled him along. “Come on,” he forced the other who fought him.

The others bowed for a few moments then turned continuing their escape. Morgana stared in their direction until they were obscured by the snow. Once they were out of sight all the strength drained. She staggered once more pain finally settling on her features as she gripped a wound on her right side.

As she turned to face her pursuers she smirked. “This is all they sent, I would’ve thought I was worth more than this.” She looked across the small party. About a dozen foot soldiers and four experienced masters joined them.

“You’re not worth the dirt on my boots,” one soldier spat at her.

“I’m worth much more, my fortune could buy and sell you over and over many times,” she chuckled unfazed by his rudeness.

“Even in your final moments you laugh and look down on those around you,” an older man dressed finely stepped forward. He had already drawn his blade.

“Well, your brother surely thought so, why else would he declare me his successor over you,” she shrugged with difficulty. “But what’s a kingdom between inlaws?” she raised a brow.

“Enough.” A woman stepped forward. She rushed to attack Morgana.

Morgana stumbled backward barely dodging the attack. “Is that any way to treat your sister?” she glanced at her wound as the blood began flowing more freely. “Well half,” she corrected herself.

“You’re no sister of mine,” the woman growled. She attacked again, slashing at Morgana as the soldier’s joined in.

Morgana was aware she was above her sister in skill, even in her current state with the shockwaves forcibly being pushed back by sheer will she would still win. However, with a dozen soldiers added in it’d be difficult. If not for her current state she could’ve taken them all on or at least defended until she could escape but now… such a thing was impossible.

She tried to dodge but was stabbed, in her side, in a gaping wound by her sister. “Lyra, that’s low…” Morgana sighed. She gathered power in her right hand. “What…” surprised Morgana stared at the wound. “Poison really?” she frowned. The whole right side of her body was numbing.

“Any edge to take you down.” Lyra went in for another attack.

“Fine.” Morgana closed her eyes and used her left hand to throw out a barrage of arrow formed of energy as she arched her hand causing all her attackers and even those on the sidelines to take a few steps back and defend.

This however was too much in her current state. Morgana coughed violently vomiting blood. She couldn’t suppress the shocks running through her. She felt hot, so very hot as if her insides were on fire.

A small smile appeared on her face. “Well it’s time for me to make an exit,” she glanced off to the left giving a small nod. ‘This is a fine way to do it…’

Not wanting to let their foe escape, everyone rushed in to attack. All but one that is.

The man realized what was happening and tried his best to warn the others. “Fall back!” he yelled. “Don’t!” he pushed a few out of the way.

‘Damn.’ The thought crossed her mind but there were enough of them close enough to get

caught, Morgana was fine taking a few of them with her.

She felt her heartbeat speed up more than it had ben then painfully constrict as all the energy inside her condense and burst forth like a bomb. Her sister and former brother in law along with five soldiers were caught in the blast.

As the snow settled around them three of the soldiers were dead and all others caught in the blast were injured to varying degrees. But most shocking of all to them Morgana lie bloody and limp in the snow.

There was a moment of silence as they were dumfounded by the sight. The man who’d warned the others stepped forward to examine the body despite warnings to be careful.

“She’d dead,” he whispered as he glanced at her corpse.

“Then why does that persist?” the Prince pointed at the barrier with his sword.

They all stared at it.

“Perhaps…” the final of the fighters who’d been quiet spoke. He was much older but his figure was strong and dignified. He walked over to the buried reaching out to touch it. “Perhaps it is just residual energy,” she proposed. “Her last will to keep us from crossing that keeps it up after her last breath, it should fade after a while.”

“And how long is that?” Lyra asked.

“She was once a powerful woman, even if I hate admitting it,” the Prince frowned. “It could take some time.”

“Then we choose our battles wisely,” the other young man spoke. “We can’t move forward. We’ll return and figure things out after.”

There was no arguments as they prepared to return.

The sun was high in the sky as people walked through the stalls. This year’s festival seemed grander than the one before. For the last 100 years this festival has been going on. It started the year the Tyrant Empress Morgana was killed. It marks her death and celebrates the people’s freedom. As such vendors lined the streets all sorts of stalls emerged. Fragrant flowers and delicious foods permeated the air. Beautiful silks and jewelry sparkled.

The people dressed up visiting stalls. It was a national holiday many celebrated just to have fun, over the centuries its meaning lost to the people, even if there was a show during the festival that reenacted the events as told by accounts of those involved. For children the play was a fairytale, it had been a hundred years, most just thought it a tale made up about the woman who used to rule the area.

Maeve walked the streets crowded by tourist and locals like that moving around was somewhat difficult. She groaned as she weaved through the throngs of people. A shove here and a nudge there but no progress came. This only caused frustration to build up. She slipped into an alley and closed her eyes. Tilting her head left to right in thought over her next move she bit her lip.

“Be late or get nagged…” she mumbled weighing her options. th e thought of wading through all those people on a day that already seemed like it’d be long would just make things worse. But Maeve’s thought getting nagged was equally annoying though if she tuned it out she could get through the day easier.

Her decision made she tapped on the wall then drawing a symbol. A portal appeared which after stepping through put Maeve in a small bakery. She had barely made two steps in before they yelling began.

“Y-” the man was cut short.

Maeve had doubled over in pain gripping her chest. There was immense pain as if her heart was about to leap from her chest as if shot from a cannon. This was normal with the use of her magic which is one reason she was usually lectured on it’s usage.

The man ran to her side hand on her shoulders sighing. “Why are you so hardheaded,” he shook his head. Leading her to a seat he left for a few moments returning with some water. “Is it worse today?”

She shook her head taking the water. After a small sip she glanced up. “I would’ve been really late and I didn’t want to deal with all the people, they can be annoying at work, why aggravate myself before that?”

“Still,” he pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’d rather you be late, don’t aggravate your condition anymore than needed, you’re lucky you didn’t go too far.”

“Yeah yeah,” she rolled her eyes. This was normal and something repeated often. She knew the only reason was because he cared. “I’m fine Vox,” she assured him standing.

The pain in her chest was beginning to subside slowly but her friend didn’t seem too convinced.

“Fine?” he raised a brow frowning. “You’ve used your magic quite a bit recently,” he put a hand on his hips. “Fast travel, healing small wounds, playing small tricks on people,” he began listing off.

“Yeah well, those boys need to learn not to bully a small girl,” Maeve retorted. “Healing her bruises was worth it, as was lighting one or two pairs of pants on fire. I didn’t get caught.”

“This time, and please stop lighting things and people on fire,” he sighed. “Anyway you’re overusing your abilities with your weak body, for now, tone it down,” he helped her to her feet. “Now get ready for work.”

With a nod and an eyeroll Maeve complied with her friend. She watched him flip the door sign then went to change for work. It was going to be a busy day, a long day. Vox always seemed a bit agitated on this day, as to why she could never figure out. As she greeted customers as they entered and seated them. She took orders as they chatted about the festival.

“It’s the hundred year mark, I hear something special is planned,” one woman said.

“I heard they’re gonna burn the final portrait of the Queen,” another said.

“My Granfather said that she was a beauty, isn’t it a shame to burn the last portrait?” he asked.

The woman next to him rolled her eyes. “So what if she was pretty, she killed a bunch of people, she was evil.”

“Maeve!” Vox called.

She’d been taking the order of the table beside this one when that table joined in.

“I heard it’s some heirloom,” a man at the table whispered as she was walking away.

“What’s the problem?” she leaned over to Vox as she approached.

He was clenching fist and gritting his teeth. He was clearly on edge. He looked ready to start a fight.

“You know what, go rest,” he pushed him away. “Mary and I can handle serving people and we’ve got Tori in the kitchen with Shilla. It’s enough for the day,” she gave him a smile not letting him fight back. “You look tired, go.”

When he was gone she returned to serving the tables and putting in orders. The day went by with customers coming and going. They were all varying levels of excitement for the festival, some drunk others on their way down that road.

As the afternoon wound into evening most people had emptied the shop. Maeve was in the back grabbing supplies leaving Mary to tend to the few customers they had at that moment. She was pulling out some rice sacks when there was a loud thud out front. She thought it was another drunk and rowdy customer walking out with a sigh leaving the rice on the floor.

In the front there were only four tables with people at them and a group standing in front of Mary who seemed to be bothered by their presence. And to the man’s right was a broken table which, presuming by the fact that he had a weapon drawn, meant he was the one who’d done it.

‘More drunks…’ Maeve thought as she approached. “I’d like to welcome you to our shop, I don’t know what the problem is but I’m sure we can talk it over,” she put on a smile stopping beside Mary. “So if you’d please tell me what displeases you enough to destroy one of our tables perhaps we can come to an understanding.”

She glanced at the table then to the man, “though I hope you plan to pay for the destruction you caused.”

She glanced the group of four over and noticed they were all dressed in pastel blues and pinks. There was a thought she’d seen it before that passed her eyes. She was trying to remember when a flag flying outside caught her eye. ‘Ah, they’re wearing Kingdom colors,’ she thought.

Maeve had seen it so much all day but never this much of it. Every year during the festival the people in town wore a bit of pink and blue, an earring, bracelet, band, maybe a blouse or tie but never covered from head to toe like these guys. There were other colors of import on festival day but in this region it was always pink and blue.

“Pay?” the man in front spoke. His eyes seemed a bit familiar in their blue tint. “Shouldn’t you pay for your offense?” he spat back. “We’d heard this was one of the best shops in this town,” he glared in disgust. “Every other place is decorated in the colors of victory and in here we find none of that, and even worse red and yellows, this place is a disgrace.

Maeve stared at him for a moment then began to laugh. “Ah,” she caught herself and turned trying to stop herself. “S-Sorry, I thought people like you were more educated,” she commented.

“Miss…” Mary glanced worried between Maeve and the group. The man seemed to get angrier the more she laughed at him. “Perhaps you should stop.”

“And what is so funny?” one of the man’s entourage piped up taking a step forward.

“That, people in such fineries who pride themselves on knowledge always know the least,” Maeve commented calming herself somewhat to look back at them.

“You little,” The man in front moved his sword hand.

“That’s enough,” another voice came from the back. The group parted to look at the owner of the voice. This man seemed a little older and his features similar to the leader of the group just a bit clamer and more mature. Just by their eyes she assumed they were brothers which was confirmed when the hothead called him so.

“She is right,” the man behind the new arrival stepped out. He was handsome like his companion. He glanced at Maeve eyes lingering for a long moment.

Their eyes lock for just a moment but it felt like minutes. Maeve glanced the two over curiously. She knew this wasn’t going to be a breeze of a day the moment she woke up late.

The second man glanced at the first then stepped forward, “your reading skills are poor or either you just have poor memory,” he glanced around. “This place is called the Flaming Lily, it is in reference to the flower I’m assuming so they decorated accordingly.” He glanced at MAeve and Mary, “correct.”

Mary nodded a bit embarrassed. Handsome men seemed to be a weakness to her.

“Well one of you knows something,” Maeve tilted her head.

The patrons who’d been watching snickered and laughed which just embarrassed the youths. The leader growing red in anger.

“So what!” he yelled. “These colors are still-”

“Enough,” his brother sighed. “Apologies,” he bowed lightly. “We’ll pay for the damages,” he glanced at the table. “And if possible we’d like to seat and eat, we will be the most behaved.”

“Okay!” Mary piped up eager to serve the handsome young masters.

Now that she was getting a look at the new arrivals the second one wasn’t dressed as lavish or in pinks and greens but rather white and black while the brother was in a dark blue.

“Please make room for a few more,” the older brother spoke. “There are a few more on their way.”

Maeve sighed. “Yeah yeah,” she glanced to Mary. “I’m heading back to get more rice,” she told her leaving.

Maeve delivered ther rice to the kitchen before heading to check on Vox who had apparently fallen asleep. She left him some food then returned to the shop. Now the large group had gotten bigger with four women added in.

“Miss,” Mary called to Maeve. “Can you help me deliver this?”

Maeve wordlessly grabbed a tray and accompanied Mary. “Is there anything else you need?” she asked putting on a smile unconsciously as she served them. She glanced over the girled dressed in pinks quite petite and delicate in appearance. “Perhaps a light tea for the ladies?” she suggested then walked away to have some brewed.

The rest of their time Maeve left the table to Mary as she dealt with regulars who began flooding in once more now more wasted than not.

“Maeve the usual!” an old man called.

“Coming up!” she yelled back toward him then returned her attention to the table she was surviving.

“Thee owner seemes quite busy,” the brother commented toward Mary.

“Oh, no Miss Maeve isn’t the owner, our boss isn’t feeling well so the Miss is taking over,” she explained. “Well that’s still a nice this to do for your partner.”

“Well they’re more like family,” Mary corrected. “They aren’t a couple just really close.”

“Who’d mary a woman like that anyway,” the younger brother was still bitter.

“The Miss is quite popular you know,” Mary pointed out.

“The hell was that for!” there was a yell that caught everyone’s attention.

“I’ve said it countless times you ass, keep your hands to yourself,” Maeve frowned. She grabbed the girl by the hand and moved her to another seat. “Stay over here,” she smiled.

The girl gave a little nodd.

“He’s at it again,” Mary sighed. She refilled their cups.

“If you’d rather I not lay my hands on other women then just marry me,” the man reached outtapping her butt when a pebble smashed into his forehead stopping him.

“Thought I told you keep your hands off women,” Vox yawned by the door.

Maeve took a deep breath.

“Uh oh…” Mary braced as if she was the one hit.

Maeve punched the man knocking him out of his seat. The place erupted into roars as she put her foot between his legs. “I thought I warned you if you ever put your hands on me again I’d make you a eunuch,” she pressed down a bit. “I don’t care if you’re the Mayor’s son, you pervert!”

“Okay,” Vox picked Maeve up. “Enough.” He glanced at Mary ready to call her over when he spotted the table she was serving. He quickly turned and took Maeve away.”

“Put me down, I’m not a kid anymore!” Maeve yelled. A small fire starting on the drunk perverts pants.

“Ah!” he yelled trying to put it out.

This caused the finely dressed table to turn and look at the man.

“The flame won’t go out…” one of the girls commented. “Someone cast magic?”

“Margic?” the older bother stared sipping his cup then put out the fire.

The room erupted into laughter at the man’s expense.

Outside Vox set Maeve down. He slapped her, “calm now?”

Maeve gripped her cheek staring at him. She let out a breath and stared at him. “You didn’t have to slap me that hard.”

“You were ready to seriously hurt hin,” Vox stated. “You can’t just maim people.”

“Right…” Maeve sighed. “Well can we ban him, else I may really maim him.”

“Fine, but keep your cool, you can’t lose control, if you do who knows how your magic will react.” Vox glanced up at the night sky. There was a pause then he spoke, “you’re done for the day, go home and rest.”

“But,” Maeve protested.

“No buts, you should get rest, I can handle the rest from here.”

“Fine,” she sighed. “Night.” She nodded her head to him then left to change.

The way home was quiet as most people had gathered by the makeshift stage for the festival finale. Maeve never really cared one way or the other but she wondered what was the big surprise they planned for tonight.

Curiosity began taking over as she changed directions for the festival grounds. Everyone was all dressed up. Mostly it was younger people in the crowd that formed. There was a stage set up with some performances going on. Another reenactment of the defeat of the Evil Queen was taking place more exagerrated than one would imagine. It felt strange to Maeve but she figured it was because she couldn’t see all that clearly. He response to this was climbing a tree to have a better view. It helped her see better but the feeling was still off.

At the end the actors cleared the stage and the people from the shop were on stage mainly the older and younger brother with a few other people.

“This year marks the hundredth since the defeat of Morgana,” an older man spoke center stage. “The vileness in such a villain has left a scar that has healed over the years.”

Maeve raised a brow leaning in to listen. She felt a bit fidgety but for what reason she couldn’t tell you. Then as random as anything her chest tightened catching her off guard. “Wha-!” she exclaimed.

“Tonight, we destroy something important, a symbol of the Tyrant. With its destruction one less piece of her will remain in the world.” The man continued talking about history as if rehearsed as a box was brought onto the stage. It was a rectangle box about the size of a jewelry box and embossed with intricate designs and gold.

Maeve’s chest pains worsened with every step. All she could do to not fall from the tree was grip it with both hands and fight through the pain.

“And now,” the man spoke as the older brother took the box and opened it.

The item inside was a string of glass balls glowing in different colors. The clear orbs were clear and the colors inside swirled like storms. From the looks on the faces of those on the stage this wasn’t how they were supposed to look. The glow began to brighten as Maeve could hear her heartbeat growing louder in her chest and ears. Above the stage wind swirled violently.

“Somethings wrong!” the elder brother shouted. “Everyone run!”

Thunder blared then in one quick and silent strike lightning struck the glass orbs shattering them. In that same instant there was a silence. Maeve couldn’t hear anything not even her heart.

“Yes~” a quiet voice whispered.

“NO!” Maeve yelled as simultaneously the tree was struck by lightning.

Everyone scattered in fear. The fire began to spread from the tree and there was effort made to try putting them out that was gaining little traction.

“I heard someone scream from the tree,” an old woman called. “

“I hope it wasn’t a child…” another whispered.

Maeve though couldn’t hear this. She was no longer the person in that tree. She was elsewhere, she didn’t know but it was dark and there were flashes of people and places. Faces were missing and she could feel pain in her body and heart.

“We can’t ever have peace,” a familar woman’s voice spoke. “I’ll always be what they see me as.”

“I- we don’t care what they see you as, we know better.” Another voice, a man’s spoke.

“You’re all very loyal, let’s hope it doesn’t get you killed, I couldn’t handle that pain as well, I’ve already lost everyone else.” The first voice said.

“Don’t worry, we are family remember,” another woman’s voice laughed.

“True,” the first woman gave a soft laugh.

“We’ve slept too long, we can’t live this simple life anymore…” that woman’s voice spoke as Maeve felt a hand on her head. “We need to know if they’re still alive right?”

“Right…” Maeve slowly replied as she reached up to touch that hand. Hoever her eyes opened instead and she was in bed.

Quickly she sat up looking over her hands. ‘I was struck by lightning right?’ she thought to herself. She looked around realizing it wasn’t her home but Vox’s. She got out of bed but her legs betrayed her and she fell.

“Damn…” she hit her legs then pulled herself up to sit on the bed staring at her lgs for a moment massaging them as the feeling returned to them. She kept her steps small once she was able to move and stayed to the walls.

In the kitchen Vox stared absentmindedly into a pot as Maeve entered.

“How long have I been here?” she asked pulling his attention.

Vox snapped out of it and glanced at her. He was quiet for a moment as he stared at her. “A week, what happened?” he asked. There was a sad and worried look on his face.

“I went to the festival,” she replied.

“You what?” he took two steps forward then stopped. “I told you to go home!” he yelled. “Why-” he cut himself off. “What’s done is done…” he mumbled. Vox sighed and sat head down.

“Vox what’s wrong?” she sat next to him grabbing his hand.

“I need to leave and head home.” he said.

“Home, but I thought you said you wouldn’t go back to wherever you came from?”

“Well I need to collect some things,” he told her.

“Alright, I’ll look after this place for you,” she assured him.

“No,” he looked up at her. Before she could ask why Vox spoke stopping any questions. “I need your help with something.”

“B-” she started and stopped. Vox’s face seemed serious so she let him continue.

“We’ve beenm friends a long time so I guess I can say this,” he started. “I’m brom the beast clans,” he revealed. There was a pause as he thought on his next words to convince Mave. “I need to head home to pick up items that belonged to a friend, but there is also something else I need that would make my journey longer,” he explained.

“I see…” Maeve had heard of the beasts clans but in their small town she’d never really seen one in person just books. “Beast clan, so you can turn into an animal like the books say?”

“I’ll answer all your questions later but yes,” he nodded. “And I need your help, I need you to retrieve the other item i need and meet me,” he said. “Please.”

“Me?” she pointed at herself skeptical. “I’ve never left the town, I can’t…”

“You can’t you’re strong and have been taking care of yourself well all these years,” he reassured her.

“Please?” he gripped her hand looking her in the eyes.

For as long as Maeve could remember Vox has always been there helping her. He’s been her friend so she could do this right? She could help him retrieve some item. She’d have a chance to travel, this was a vacation if she looked at it positively.

“Okay,” she sighed. “Fine.”

“Thank you,” he smiled but it seemed sullen then stood. “Go pack and meet me at the edge of town. “Pack light and essentials only.”

With a nod she stood and left still making small strides until her legs felt fully functional.