chapter 2

Chapter 2--The grove

           

            “Brothers today marks our first year of rule. The city flourishes more than ever it

would have with the old king and the help of the gods. I have a gift for each of you.” Blanc said. Blanc reaches into a

chest and pulls out a chest piece.

            “Zander I present you your newest armor.” Blanc said handing the armor to Zander.

            “The armor is made of titanium fused with emeralds.” Blanc explained.

            “Don’t think I left you out Seryth I have some special armor for you.” Blanc said pulling

out Seryth’s new armor.

            “It is made of titanium also but fused with black onyx.” Blanc said handing him the armor.

            “As for me my armor is titanium fused with black diamonds.” Blanc said pulling his

armor out. The brothers don their new armor.

            “Zander, I need you to visit the elves.” Blanc said.

            “The elves? Why is that?” Zander asked.

            “To see if they will rebel against the gods with us.” Blanc advised.

            “I can also work on my healing with them since I’m there.” Zander said thinking of

personal benefits.

            “What you do there is none of my concern, just bring me their answer. If they say no,

then let them be for now. No need to invoke a war.” Zander leaves his brothers transforming into

a falcon flying away.

            Zander travels at a top speed of two-hundred miles per hour taking him just under two

hours to get to the elven forest. Zander swoops down to the elven leader Alkyl

            “Welcome Zander.” Alkyl greeted. Zander transforms back to human form.

            “Nice armor. What brings you to our forest?” Alkyl asked.

            “I would like to know if you wish to rebel against the gods with me and my brothers?”

Zander asked.

            “Rebel against the gods? Are you mad?” Alkyl shocked by the question.

            “If you rebel with us then you will be under the protection of the Ragnarok. We will not let

any harm come to the forests.” Zander offered.

            “I will need time to discuss the news with the elders. Please stay here and make yourself

at home.”

            “Of course, one last question Alkyls.” Zander said.

            “Yes?” Alkyl asked.

            “Where are the healing elves residing?” Zander asked.

            “They reside deep in the forest due north of here, shouldn’t take you more than two

minutes in the form of the falcon.” Alkyl directed. Zander morphed into the falcon once again

heading north to the healing elves.

            Zander returns to human form.

            “Zander!” A young elf woman rushed up to Zander.

            “Hello Astrithr.” Zander said hugging her.

            “What are you doing here?” Astrithr asked.

            “I’m here to learn more healing abilities.” Zander responded.

            “You showed up just in time then.” Astrithr said

            “Why is that?” Zander asked

            “Today we are practicing healing rituals.” Astrithr said.

            “What are healing rituals?” Zander asked.

            “Healing rituals are performed to restore the balance of nature.” Astrithr explained.

            “I haven’t sensed anything wrong with the balance of nature.” Zander said.

            “That’s why this is a practice Zander.” Astrithr said.

            “How do we begin?” Zander asked.

            “We will need the following materials: a plant called bromeliad has thick, waxy leaves

that form a bowl. The leaves turn green to a red-violet color in the middle, a wing from a

monarch butterfly, feather of an eagle, and a fang of a wolf. When these materials are combined

they will help restore the balance of nature.” Astrithr explained.

            “I will gather these materials.” Zander said. Zander set out, walking through the thick

forest in search of the bromeliad. Zander scavenged around for an hour until he stumbles upon

the bromeliad where he also discovers a monarch butterfly. Zander takes out a vial, and

cautiously approach the butterfly. In one motion, Zander lunges forward catching the butterfly in

the vial. Zander uproots the bromeliad placing it in a sack. Zander transforms into an eagle and

soars to the canopy of the forest in search of an eagles nest. Zander flew a mile before finding a

nest with an eagle rests with her eaglets. Zander swoops down grabbing a feather that lay in the

nest with his talons and darting off before the eagle noticed. Zander flies back down to the

surface of the forest searching for a den. Zander flies through the air for two hours before finding

a small cave that would make a perfect den. Zander lands outside the entrance, transforming into

human form. Zander bends over to pick the wing up, placing it in the sac with the plant. Zander

proceeds into the den. A hundred feet in a mother and father wolf posture up snarling at Zander.

Zander casts a soothing spell on the wolves and proceeds to take a fang from the alpha wolf. The

soothing spell keeps the wolves at bay allowing Zander to take his time dislodging the fang from

the wolf. With the materials in hand, Zander heads back to the ritual circle.

            “I have the materials Astrithr.” Zander said.

            “Excellent, give them to me.” Astrithr arranges the materials in the order of which Zander

gathered them in a circle.

            “The materials form the circle of life, now we must chant.” Astrithr instructed. Astrithr

starts off the chant, Zander joins in. The ritual circle begins to glow green and creating a vortex

of wind. Zander and the elves keep chanting, chanting louder and louder. The color and wind

intensify. Zander and the elves seize chanting, and the calmness fills the air.

            “The ritual is done, thank you Zander.” Astrithr said.

            “Anytime.” Zander replies.

            “Sounds like you are about to depart.” Astrithr said.

            “I am.” Zander said.

            “Why don’t you stay here? I can teach you some more chants.” Astrithr persuades.

            “I would love to but I must return to Alkyl to hear his verdict.” Zander said as he transformed into a falcon.

            “Elder councils a messenger from Ragnarok has wished us to join the three brothers in

revolting against the gods.” Alkyl the second ranked council said.

            “Revolting against the gods? How dare you say such nonsense in the Temple of Freya?”

Zarda the High Councilor roar.

             “I know that it’s an absurd request, but look around we have sacrificed what we can to

Freya and still no hope.” Alkyl argued.

            “Then we will continue to sacrifice!” Zarda protested.

            “No! I agree with Alkyl. Let us join the rebellion! We will be fighting with the greatest

warriors of all time. Have you forgotten about the triples victory over Bane? I rather join them

rather than sacrificing anymore animals!” Keth argued.

            “Watch your tone Keth you are outranked here! I haven’t forgotten the outcome of the

fight with Bane. If you recall only two survived--barely.” Zarda protested correcting Keth.

            “I have not forgotten the outcome of that battle, but Blanc himself returned to the mortal

life--” Kyle said.

            “Even more so why we shouldn’t join the brothers! If we join them then the gods surely

will not grant us our prayers!” Zarda retaliated.

            “What difference would it make if we join the brothers? If we join the brothers then, we

can show the gods that they’ll need our prayers and sacrifices. With that we can weaken them

giving us the upper hand.” Iliac the fifth ranked council said.

            “Let us take a vote. All in favor to join the rebellion say I.” Zarda said.

            “I.” Alkyl said

            “I.” Keth said.

            “I.” Iliac said.

            “I.” Ulna the third ranked council said

            “I.” Ursa the fourth ranked council said.       

            “It appears we have a tie Zarda.” Alkyl remarked.

            “Let us take a break we will regroup later to further discuss this rebellion decision.”

Zarda said. Alkyl exits the temple seeing Zander.

“Zander.” Alkyl called.

            “What’s the verdict?” Zander asks.

            “The question stirred up a lot of commotion. After seeing other peoples view I strongly

wish to join you and your brothers in rebellion.”

            “May I come to the next session?” Zander asked.

            “I cannot let you, it is forbidden for any race other than elves to enter the Temple of

Freya.” Alkyl said.

            “I understand. Please try to persuade the others to join the rebellion; the gods love us no

more.” Zander said. Alkyl departs to the temple.

            “The debate of if we shall join the rebellion shall commence immediately. Who wishes to

start?” Zarda asks.

            “I have thought hard about the decision of rebelling against the gods, but I must first

know who this messenger is that Alkyl speaks of.” Suji the sixth ranked council said.

            “Zander himself.” Alkyl replied. The councils begin whispering of the news of Zander in

their forest.

            “Fetch Zander for us Alkyl. Let him speak what he needs to speak.” Zarda commands.

Alkyl exits the temple.

            “Zander.” Alkyl called.

            “What is it Alkyl?” Zander asked.

            “The council wishes to hear what you have to say.” Alkyl said. Zander went with Alkyl

to the council.

            “Council I hear stands before me Zander. He shall tell you why we must rebel against the

gods!” Alkyl said.

            “Council I am Zander one of the three triplets, slayer of Bane. The gods have betrayed

my brother Blanc, casting him back down to the mortal world for falling in love with Odin’s

daughter. Verya. Blanc battled with Odin, because Odin threaten to kill Verya. This was the

 

same night we buried Blanc at sea. Now the gods give us no faith and we do not pray or sacrifice

our blood.” Zander said.

            “If we rebel the gods then we lose all hope to survive.” Zarda protest.

            “It may seem so, however Ragnarok has thrived more than it ever would have when we

worshipped the gods. The gods mean nothing and are powerless if they do not receive our love.

This fact will be used against them when the time is right. Join us elves and learn that there is

more to life than praying and sacrificing to being’s who do not love you back. What says you?”

Zander preached. The elven council turns to Zarda as he stood.

            “I speak for all of us. We shall seize to worship the gods and goddesses. We shall learn

how to survive on our own. And we shall join the rebellion!” Zarda said. The councils cheered

and ran out to spread the news. Alkyl and Zander exited together.

            “Thank you Alkyl for having your people joining the rebellion.” Zander thanked.

            “I’m glad that you talked some sense into Zarda. Not an easy thing to do at times.” Alkyl

said.

            “What is going to happen now?” Zander asked.

            “We will continue as normal, but we’ll have to find something to do with the free time

we have now.” Alkyl said.

            “I’m sure you will have no problem at that.” Zander said morphing into a falcon.

            “Farewell Zander!” Alkyl shouted as Zander departed. Zander makes his way back to

visit Astrithr.

            “Hello Astrithr.” Zander said

            “Something terrible has happened.” Astrithr said in despair.

            “What’s wrong?” Zander asks.

            “The council told us that we are no longer to worship the gods.” Astrithr said.

            “I was sent here to persuade the council to commence worship.” Zander pleaded.

            “How could you! The gods gives us the ability to heal and bring balance to the world.”

Astrithr argues.

            “I have stopped worshipping the gods for the past year ever since Blanc returned and

Ragnarok is stronger than ever.” Zander said

            “You humans do not understand the need of worshipping to the gods. Their favor allows

us to live, without it we will surely die out.” Astrithr said.

            “The gods want nothing other than you to pray to them and sacrifice your blood as well

as animal blood. Remember the ingredients for the ritual, a wing from a butterfly, and a tooth of

a wolf. Why would the gods need these if they love you and the world around you? The gods

care nothing for your believes they only want your prayer so they will become stronger that is

how they survive. You will still be able to heal and bring balance to the world, but you don’t

need the gods help to do it.” Zander said.

            “Leave me Zander and never return. You have doomed us all.” Astrithr said. Zander left

via transforming into a falcon

            Zander flew into the throne room where Blanc sat on his throne. Zander landed by Blanc’s feet and morph to human form.

            “What did the elves say?” Blanc asked.

            “They have joined the rebellion.” Zander said.

            “I sense disturbance in you Zander. What is troubling you?” Blanc asked.

            “Astrithr fears that we are wrong to rebel against the gods.” Zander said.

            “What is there to fear? Look at Ragnarok, we have constructed a prospering kingdom,

without the aid of the gods.” Blanc said.

            “I have realized the Ragnaroks prosperity, however we are humans we have the will to

survive. The elves rely on the help of their gods.” Zander said.

            “Then we shall send our teachers and let them teach the elves how to survive without the

aid of the gods.” Blanc said.

            “What about the elves that live to heal and bring balance to the world?” Zander asked

            “We’ll send medics there to teach them. There is no need to worry about the elves

Zander, they will be under the protection of Ragnarok.” Blanc said.

                        “I only worry for the wellbeing of Ragnarok dear brother.” Zander said

            “I know you do.” Blanc said.

            “Where is Seryth?” Zander asks.

            “I sent him on a similar quest as you to Dunmore.”