Elysian Chronicles: A Dance in the Darkness

couldn't sense anyone chasing her, so she let the thoughts of the woman drift to the back of her mind. "Something to discuss with Minos," she thought as she stepped onto the glossy o

magic devices produced by the charm factory. The temporary spells were advertised to protect themselves during t

sely picking up the pace in fear of the storm. It was too late. The alarm warning people of the storm sounded just before the rain came pounding to the ground. The ground seemed to shake as the thunder echoed over the shrieks of the people. "I have to find somewhere to go," she thought, determined to remain calm despite her growing

t m

expensive garments. She frowned at how quickly they abandoned the shop owners who they had hired. "Wow," she watched as their magic briefly illuminated the spot where they vanished, lighting the darkness in bursts of blues and reds. The quick flashes of light lasted but a longing second. She took off again, pausing only to avoid being drawn i

the suddenly inflated fares common in the city. The Royal Magic company would inflate portal travel prices and Spirehorse lifts to maximize profits. Nina stopped for a moment to watc

enient because most public magical carriages wouldn't take them to their homes in the lower levels of the city, too dangerous for anyone who had even a glimmer of wealth. The ground soon became slick with wetness and

only allow guests of the Court of the Royal Magical Houses or those with deep coffers into the gates of Alasia, the capital palace building of the city. It was more like a miniature city within a city. Different portals inside the gate led to different levels within the palace for the Roy

back by how many people had fled the area. The obsidian streets blended into the blanket of darkness that now completely covered the city. Soon the chaos would become still and dim yellow lights from the windows of buildings would disappear in the denseness of the rain. The rain began to fal

the lower city. She could feel the pulsing energy heading to the city. In fear, she rushed into the ruins of an abandoned temple dedicated to the

safe in plac

her chest in the darkness. "I guess on rainy nights like these, most would all be happily indoors with their families or companions protected by the protection charms of the inner city or their little magical protectio

icted, and cursed with a magical illness that makes them manic for magic. Nina kn

're

ontinuous sounds of the Desperate attacking and th

s. The darkness was lit with flashes of light as many had control of makeshift magical items converted into weapons. Her stomach churned as screams and sickening

ed. She hadn't realized she had been holding her breath. She was lightheaded. She laid back on the dusty floor. "It's not like I'm afraid of the Desperate," she thought, closing her eyes. "It is significantly safer in Elysia than it was when it r

seem to at

reminded her of the horrific nights filled with the screams and sounds of flesh being torn. She shuddered at the thought of The Moors. It always caused her skin to crawl

r courage when she was alone. She could suddenly feel the presence of another. Quickly opening her eyes, she began to

gently letting her go. She spun around,

schievous smile graced the corners of his lips and, ev

7