Mohan had finally arrived at the gates of the kingdom. Despite all that was happening, two guards were still posted there to keep watch. But all it took was a simply reveal of her fair face and the guards sanctioned her forward without question. They all knew her well.

Mohan Regelia was her full name. She was the third daughter of Roy Regelia and if she were to add, she was also the fairest and most beautiful of the three daughters. Though, in terms of height, she was also the smallest, standing at a mighty five feet high.

With the guard’s approval, she continued to ride through the kingdom towards the castle that was perched on the higher landscape. When she arrived at the first flight of stairs that lead to the second level of the kingdom, she hopped off her horse and said to the creature. “Rest here for now.” And then she continued up.

Soon she passed through the beautiful stone houses that were architecturally built to survive a storm as well as please the eye. Here was where most merchants and shrewd businessmen lived. But the she ignored the familiar sights and continued onward through the main square that held a large pool of water built with a circular fountain that had seven creatures -  a lion, a turtle, an eagle, a blue whale, a dove, an eel and a dragon – carved from stone in its center that each funneled water from their mouths.

That too, she ignored and continued running until she reached the second flight of stairs which she climbed quickly and then made her way towards the castle.

Here too, another set of guards stood in waiting at yet another gate that lead into the castle’s courtyard. But once more, the guards could not refuse her entry and she continued still.

She ran straight through the palace gardens, not wishing to take any detours to see the other noble houses that were built within these walls, and then made her way through the enormous front door that had been left open. But as she was proceeding to enter the castle, two fair women of average height, one slightly taller than the other, came out into the open.

Mohan recognized them both. They were her sisters.

Their eyes widened as they saw Mohan approaching.

“Mohan, what are you doing here?” the taller one asked as she reached out her arms to give her sister a hug.

“Yes, what are you doing here?” asked the older, yet shorter, of the two as she folded her arms and placed one foot forward.

Mohan ignored her eldest sister and looked to Lillian, a beautiful woman who had inherited the red hair and green eyes of their mother.

“Where’s father?” the woman asked. “I need him to tell me where Evan is.”

Lillian pointed forward to the inner wall which had a bridge that connected it to the outer wall that surrounded the entire kingdom.

There, Mohan, could vaguely make out the silhouette of an old man making his way across the bridge. “Thank you.” Mohan said to her sister and then ran into the castle where she would then take a series of passages that would lead her on to another stone bridge that connected the castle to the inner wall. Then she would continue after her father.

~

            “Didn’t father order seven Gifted to go into hell?” the eldest sister asked as Mohan left.

            “Yes.” Lillian replied as she walked into the garden and took a seat in a wooden chair placed by a small table.

            “Would it be too much to think that little Evan was amongst them?” the eldest sister asked as she too took a seat beside the table.

            “Well, I suppose that doesn’t matter now.” Lillian looked to the walls. “Where ever Evan is, she’ll find out soon enough.”

~

Roy Regelia continued down across the bridge and then to the outer wall where he saw the frustrated Emrit Stronghold perched on the stone carved railing. Roy smiled as he approached.

Emrit was dressed proudly in the robe of the stronghold that blew along with the wind. Roy thought it suited the man more than ever. The indigo color of the cloak was laced with black along the seams which complimented the brown color of Emrit’s skin.

The hood of the cloak was left to fall down his back and his dark wavy hair that had grown thin with age was dancing to the wind as it passed along the man’s face.

Roy now stood beside him. “It’s nice to see you showing interest in these affairs.”

From the side of his eye, Roy saw Emrit look towards him. But the stiff man soon returned his attention to the battlefield. “And it’s nice to see you leaving the castle for once.” Emrit replied coldly.

Roy sharpened his eyes and continued to watch as a dark creature tried to force his way out into his world.

~

Eon, Lias and Raus raced along the battlefield towards the Rift. Then they separated from each other, Raus going to the right and Lias heading to the left while Eon continued towards the two huge giants in the middle.

The man landed in the face of one of those giants and consequently kicked it to the ground. The other quickly reacted and swatted the man into the solid earth that was now a shallow river. With clothes now soaking in water, Eon jumped towards the second giant as the other healed its destroyed head.

The giant swung its limp arms like a wild baboon but Eon braced himself against the blow and then, when the creature tried to pull its long arm back, it found that it couldn’t.

Eon clung onto the mass of shadow and with a huge swing of his own, he spun the giant around. Faster and faster the giant continued to move in a circular motion with Eon in the center still grasping its hand. And when it had accelerated enough, the man let the beast loose and watched as the giant flew towards the distant forest in the east.

Then the man slammed the other giant, who was now trying to get up, back to the ground as he lunged on to it with both feet. He stood on top of the creature and looked to the massive face with red eyes trying to force its way out into the human world.

“You’re annoying.” The creature said with frustration and then a third arm emerged from the rift to strike at Eon.

The man dodged it with ease but then it spiraled around like a snake to attack from behind. This, Eon was forced to block with crossed arms as he was pushed closer to the dark creature’s mouth that was now wide open.

Eon forced himself to a stop, mere inches away from the dagger like teeth of the demon behind.

The arm continued to push while Eon braced himself with all his strength. But slowly he began to move again, pushing forward step by step. Inch after inch he continued to push the arm away as his skin glowed with the royal crest of the Regelia family. And then when he was far enough away from the strange creature of malice, he jumped into the air and let the momentum of its own arm strike the demon in his face.

It was then that Lias attacked the creature’s left arm and Raus burnt away with all his might at the other hand, though of course it wasn’t as effective. The creature’s left arm was knocked from the side of the rift but the right arm remained.

Eon gritted his teeth and went to support the struggling Raus whose flames couldn’t burn the malice away. But the man was stopped by the fallen giant who grabbed his upper body and then slammed him into the ground.

Lias quickly kicked the giant down as it tried to get up and Eon managed to force its hand open, freeing himself from a shadowy coffin. Then, as he tried to do initially, the man made to attack the creature’s right arm.

But that was when a man cloaked in a silver robe swung his sword from the sky and a wall of ice appeared to impede Eon’s progress.

From atop where he flew on a black bird of malice, surrounded by the light of dawn, the man pointed his sword that fumed with icy spoke. Eon gritted his teeth and clenched his fist. Another enemy had appeared.

~

Mohan continued towards the walls and soon enough, she arrived at where both her father and ex-husband watched over the rumbling battlefield.

“Father!” she exclaimed and the King turned around with shock to see his youngest daughter standing behind him. Emrit turned around as well but his expression was filled with bitterness towards the woman.

Mohan gave her father a huge hug and then asked. “Where is Evan? He was supposed to return a day ago but he didn’t. What happened?”

The king let his daughter go as he turned around and rubbed the back of his head. “Well…” he began. “He somewhat volunteered to go into hell for a little expedition.”

“What?” Mohan raged, her expression now that of a fierce lion. “You sent him to hell!”

The king faced his daughter again and held his hands in front of him. “Well, he volunteered and I couldn’t quite….”

“He went as a fill in for the Stronghold family.” Emrit interrupted, still focusing on the battle before him. “He volunteered to go since I wouldn’t send any of my sons to that dreadful place.”

Mohan’s eyes grew narrow and she walked up to the man as she placed a hand on his shoulder. He turned around as he gritted his teeth. “Get your hands-”

Slap! Mohan’s palm met the man’s face and he nearly fell off the wall having lost his balance. But with a bit of squirming, he found his hold and sat upright once more on the wall’s edge.

“Is Evan not your son as well?” Mohan’s voice cracked as tears swelled up in her eyes. “Is he not of your blood?”

Emrit gave her a glance from his side. He then, once more, returned his attention to where his two sons fought bravely on the battlefield. “No, he isn’t.” he said only to receive another slap from Mohan. This time, he was ready for it and kept his balance.

“Woman, if you keep doing that, I’ll…”

“You’ll what?” Mohan asked with hands folded. “Attack me only to have your other hand smashed to smithereens.” Then the woman turned around and began walking away.

“Mohan, where are you going?” the King asked as he reached out an arm.

“To find my son.” The woman replied and fumed away.