Beyond the Darkness

The darkness pulsated, sending a wave a dark energy out as a warning, though it was weak. A green glow began to curl from the base of the gigantic mass, crawling up like a candle held to a tapestry. The darkness seemed to grow lighter and thinner, its constant contractions showing signs of struggle , the fading show signs of its depleting power. Deep inside this creation was Xaneria, without a doubt, her energies were slowly seeping from the weakening ball of despair.

The light peaked in the center, before Cenias and Ailac, the darkness looking as if it were splitting. Quickly, without warning, two thin, tiny hands pushed through the darkness, whipping about as if reaching for something, like the hands of a drowning person. The hands flinched and flickered with light green energy that began to fade as it was slowly pulled across the wrists, into the darkness and fell off like water to an oiled cloth. A faint cry could be heard somewhere deep beyond the malice of the mass.

Without even a thought Ailac bound to his feet and stepped closer, reaching for one of those fragile hands. Darkness lashed out at his hand, threatening to push him back or tear the intruding hand to shreds, yet he pressed on. To his right a blur of motion flashed, Cenias was beside him reaching out past the flailing darkness. Light coursed from the druids hands, reaching out to draw forth Xaneria’s fading light. Hands connected amidst the tangle of verdant flows, darkness bursting forth into blinding green light.

The myrtle flows of energy began to lighten as they coursed in towards the fading light, connecting. The powers of the 3 druids began to grow, and change quickly, silently shifting about in a flow that seeped into the darkness. The hands gripped tightly to those which took them and in a fervent and instant motion, the light broke out past the thinning walls of the despair wrought mass, cause it to compress and expand, dissolving into a grey gas that vanished from sight. Xaneria's body fell forward from the anomaly, her hands tightly gripping Cenias and Ailac’s, her body dropping against theirs, her eyes closed, her hair matted and her breaths shallow.

She spoke nothing.

‘Xaneria, she’s freed. But that nightmare was so intense, can it truly be beaten back so easily’. Cenias’ wary eyes scanned the glade, searching each blade for some sign the nightmare lurked within. Pain seared at wounds yet the proud druid stood tall, reminiscent of the proud stag that roamed in his thoughts. ‘I see nothing, yet in this place what the eyes see can be deceptive. Still, I do hope...’ Stepping back a step still wary, Cenias let his grip fall slack, her arm dropping from his.

Relief washed over Ailac like a spring rain, purifying his mind of worry and cleansing the pain from his eye. ‘She’s alright…’ he sighed relieved, moving to pull her closer against him. Exhaustion tore at Ailac, finally the adrenaline of his frantic search coming to an end. Muscles threatened to sag and fall to the ground, yet he held himself firm, cradling the weak form of the female druid in his arms protectively.

“I’m so glad I found you, Il’dar,” spoke the youngest druid warmly.

“But is she truly free, brother?” The elder male questioned. “Darkness and trickery is the way of the Nightmare. Can it be cleansed so easily?”

Xaneria's legs falter as her breaths deepen, suddenly, her eyes still closed and her body limp, the druid began to weap, soft, gentle tears. Her weak body shook lightly as a hand reached up and rested her balance on Ailac's shoulders. The druid reached her other hand out lightly, taking hold of Cenias' arm and tugging at him gently, without a word.

Xaneria lifted her tired body, allowing her arms to grip and embrace both druid's tightly, her energy seeming to return slowly to her body and her color growing better. For a moment she said nothing, holding them quietly. Cenias’ eyes still questioned, yet he did not fight. He stepped closer, letting himself be tugged, looking over to Ailac. The younger druid merely smiled back, tiredly but genuine, nodding his head once to Cenias. Cenias gave a brief nod, letting the question go from his eyes to look down at the female druid holding him. With a faint smile he raised one hand to pat her back, letting it rest there tentatively.

Xaneria lifted her head slowly and smiled brightly, letting her vibrant cyan blue and jade green eyes look upon the druids, clear as day. She took in a breath and forced out weak words.

"I think... by far that was the biggest nightmare... " She tilted her head. "I'm glad the two of you are safe, but... I really... want to go home now."

Ailac nodded his head still keeping his arm around Xaneria to support her. “Let’s go back,” Ailac said quietly. “Open the portal Cenias.” Cenias looked at him once, but turned to perform the ritual of waking. Ailac barely noticed, tired beyond belief, but filled with a peace and exuberance like no other. ‘Finally, time to wake up from this Nightmare.’