The Veil of Darkness
Chapter 376: In Search of Light (Part Three)

Chapter 376: In Search of Light (Part Three)

"What is going on at your end? We just finished off the darklings who tried to attack the Capital City." Kenric asked his brothers while his sharp eyes continously scanned the surroundings to make sure that no more darklings were hiding nearby.

He had led the Seelie army to hide from plain sight just in case more darklings decided to attack the Capital once they would realize that something went wrong with their men who were tasked initially to create havoc in the Seelie Empire.

"Something is not right over here." Damien was the first one to respond through their shared mind link.

"What’s wrong?" Kenric quickly asked.

"There’s no trace of the dark army over here yet, and there’s a strange dark purple colored fog taking over the sky. It doesn’t seem poisonous but there’s definitely something wrong with it. There’s hint of dark energy in it." Damien provided information and his voice came out hard through the link as if he was deeply concentrating on something.

"Purple fog..." Kenric’s eyes immediately turned toward the sky and he noticed that other than the dark clouds, everything seemed normal at his end. "Be careful. This might be another trick of the darklings."

Damien just hummed in response before he directed a question toward Valerius who had been silent all this time - "Why are you not in the Midnight Realm, Valerius? Where are you going?"

"What?"

Kenric was taken aback by the news and as he immediately focused on his eldest brother’s location through their shared bond, he did notice that his brother was far away from the Midnight Realm and seemed to be heading somewhere.

"Mother told me to stay with Annalise. That’s where I’m heading right now. But the problem is - they have sealed the portal in the basement of the Castle and there’s no other way to enter the realm except for..."

Though Valerius stopped there and didn’t finish what he was going to say, Damien was quick to guess. "You are planning to track down the leader of darklings as he must be trying to take down the wards of the Seelie Realm."

"That’s a good idea. This will give me a chance to keep them distracted and Annalise will have more time in her hands." Valerius sounded determined about his plan but his brothers had different thoughts.

"Don’t be ridiculous, Valerius. You are all alone and there can be more than one of them. Also, that person is over ten thousand years old, how are you exactly planning to fight them?" Damien almost sounded angry at the stupid idea his brother proposed.

"I agree with Damien. Your idea is outrageous, brother." Kenric seemed just as displeased.

"Don’t worry. I will make sure to stay safe. Besides, I never said that I’m going to face them directly. I have my own plans." Valerius sounded confident and it gave the other two Princes some sort of relief.

"Just be safe." Damien ordered and Valerius hummed in response, ending the topic of his absurd plan of facing the leader of the darklings all on his own.

"Damien, should I head over to you with the army of Dawn Court? Everything seems alright over here?" Kenric asked as his gaze once again searched the surroundings only to find that everything was perfectly normal.

"Not yet. Stay there and keep waiting unless I personally call you over for help. We don’t really know what the darklings have planned. Anything and everything could be their trap." Damien advised and Kenric agreed without further discussion.

* * *

Annalise’s heart raced as she sat in the lotus position, the vibrant hues of the seven elements swirling around her. Determination etched on her face, she delved into the depths of her magical abilities, seeking a connection with the elusive light energy that remained hidden within the Seelie Court.

However, despite her numerous attempts, she couldn’t locate a direct path to the concealed brilliance.

Frustration gnawed at her, pushing her to consider an unconventional approach. She resolved to forge a link with the very essence of the Seelie Court itself, hoping to gain the palace’s trust and uncover the secrets it guarded.

The clearing pulsed with an otherworldly energy as Annalise’s powers manifested, creating a protective ward to prevent the escape of the positive forces she harnessed. She couldn’t afford to expose the hidden light to the dangers lurking beyond the Seelie Realm. The risk of leading the enemy directly to her and compromising the light’s safety was too great.

A

As she focused on her task, the atmosphere around her transformed. Vines, once lifeless, burst into bloom, and droplets of water hovered in mid-air. Nature responded to her call, echoing the strength of her magic. However, it was not until her powers reached out, intertwining with the very fabric of the Seelie Court, that she felt a tangible response.

Her magic seeped into the walls, spreading like a gentle wave. Blooms of color erupted, breathing life into the stone and dirt that surrounded her. Yet, the elusive light energy remained elusive, teasing her senses. Annalise’s determination intensified as she guided her powers deeper into the palace, chasing the essence that seemed to elude her grasp.

Then, unexpectedly, her magic pushed beyond the confines of the palace, traversing the inner wards that shielded the Seelie Court from the encroaching dark energy. A moment of hesitation gripped her, realizing the imminent clash between her powers and the malevolent force outside the protective barriers. The decision loomed before her – to halt her search and preserve the sanctity of the Seelie Realm or to risk everything and continue her pursuit.

The weight of responsibility pressed upon Annalise’s shoulders. The fate of the hidden light energy rested on her choices. Unable to dwell on the options for long, she steeled herself and chose to press forward, despite the looming danger. In a desperate bid for protection, she summoned the element of darkness, a power she had gained through her weapon.

Darkness enveloped her powers, forming a shield that crackled with a fusion of opposing energies. The contrast between the bright, enchanting elements and the shrouding darkness created an eerie yet captivating scene in the underground clearing. Annalise felt a surge of power as the protective shield took shape, hopeful that it would withstand the impending clash with the malevolent forces outside the wards.

As her magic extended further, beyond the palace and into the ominous forest that stood as a barrier between light and darkness, Annalise braced herself for the inevitable confrontation. The air crackled with tension, and the fate of the Seelie Court hung in the balance. With each passing moment, she delved deeper into the unknown, driven by a sense of duty and a determination to safeguard the precious light energy that held the key to the realm’s salvation.

The forest outside the Seelie Court welcomed Annalise with an unsettling silence. Shadows danced among the ancient trees, and an eerie mist clung to the ground. Her protective shield pulsated as it met the resistance of the malevolent forces lurking beyond the Seelie wards. It was a delicate dance between light and darkness, each vying for dominance.

Annalise moved cautiously, her senses alert to the subtle shifts in the magical currents. The elusive light energy seemed to flicker nearby, teasing her with its proximity. The air crackled with an impending clash, and she quickened her pace, determined to reach the hideout of the Light energy.

Suddenly, the shadows stirred, and a malevolent force materialized before her. A figure clad in darkness, its features obscured, emanated an aura of pure malice.

Annalise stopped her powers from moving forward and watched the figure made of dark energy which seemed to be studying her just like how she was studying it.

The dark entity spoke in a haunting whisper, its words a venomous hiss. "You trespass Seeker of light. The Seelie Court’s secrets are not for the likes of you."

It’s words confused Annalise. It spoke as if it was safeguarding the hidden light energy but she knew better than to believe anything related to Darkness that wasn’t Esmeray.

Undeterred, she drew upon the strength of the elements, her protective shield pulsating with renewed vigor. "I seek not to harm but to understand. The hidden light is endangered, and I must ensure its safety."

Laughter echoed through the forest as the malevolent force advanced. Shadows twisted and writhed, threatening to engulf Annalise even though she was physically way too far from it.

With a swift motion, she unleashed a burst of elemental energy, creating a barrier that repelled the encroaching darkness. The confrontation intensified, the clash between opposing forces sending shockwaves through the mystical realm.

Annalise’s determination burned bright, fueled by the responsibility she bore for the entire world and the elusive light energy. The forest trembled as the battle unfolded, the very fabric of magic quivering with the struggle between light and darkness.

The confrontation intensified, the clash between opposing forces sending shockwaves through the mystical realm. Annalise’s determination burned bright, fueled by the responsibility she bore for the Seelie Court and the elusive light energy. The forest trembled as the battle unfolded, the very fabric of magic quivering with the struggle between light and darkness.

The forest responded to her efforts, vines weaving a path through the ancient trees, guiding her towards the center of the mystical realm. The malevolent force, weakened by the brilliance of the hidden light, retreated into the shadows, its menacing whispers fading.