Tales Of Pristinia

I woke up the next morning feeling the hangover of the booze. Marze was still asleep. I went straight to the bathroom and bathed in the warm serene waters. My hangover was cleansed and I felt refreshed. I exited the bathroom and changed back. Marze was still sleep, it seems she was really tired from the commotion last night. I opened a window and sat in front it. I leaned in the sill and felt the gentle morning breeze blowing and brushing against my cheeks. Suddenly, someone was knocking at the door.

I went to see who it was. I opened the door and saw one of the guards who apprehended us.

"Good morning. How may I help you sir?" I greeted.

"It's the prince!" He exclaimed. "He finally woke up."

"That's great news!" I exclaimed.

"The queen requests an audience with the both of you posthaste," he replied.

"We will be there," I shut the door and was filled with relief. "Wake up sleepyhed," I tried to wake up Marze. "Wake up," again I did.

"Come on, there are no classes today," she rolled on the bed.

"The prince already awoke, we got to get to the palace!"

"Urgh! Five more minutes." She rolled again.

"Hmm...This ought to do the trick." I cast Douse on her.

"What the!" She violently woke up. "That's it!" She tried to wrestle me but I got out of the room and out of the inn fast. She didn't follow me outside. I looked up to our bedroom window. It seems she is preparing for the rest of the day. I waited by the portal to Rendal. After a little while, she arrived and we entered the portal.

We walked towards the palace. The city was deserted when as we passed by. Not a single soul can be seen from any direction. We arrived at the street to the palace. And there we saw the whole city gathered for their prince.

The fairies were praying for their prince's safety. Fairies of all ages were there to celebrate the prince's awakening.

"What a crowd!" Marze was amazed.

"It sure is," I agreed.

We went toward the palace gates where the large fairy group was. They hindered our progress we cannot get through nor up to the palace. Then suddenly guards went towards us and escorted us. I cast Levitate on us both and the guards took us to the castle. We forced our way through the barricading fairies. Thankfully, we managed to break through. We went straight to the highest tower. We ascended towards the highest, where the guards were having a hard time going to.

Resting midway, I asked them, "When did the prince woke up?"

"*Huff *puff, just this early morning actually," one of the guards answered.

"I see," I replied.

"How was he when he woke up?" I asked further.

"As soon as he woke up, well the queen ordered us to search for you, so we still haven't seen the prince yet."

"Then I guess we should get going," Marze answered.

We continued ascending towards the opening of the titular taxing tower. We made it up and reached the entrance of the tower. Before going up, I looked around and saw the whole capital city. The height of the tower made it possible to see all of the city. I saw the boundaries that marked where the mystic marsh starts, which surrounded us, the flower-filled plain around the city and the great azure sky that laid above us as though it was reachable.

We entered the tower and there we were at the throne room, where the queen sat at the throne. We approached and as we got closer we noticed the queen's servants closing in on us. Then we were at the queen's formal presence.

"Lance and Marze," she said. "Because of your valor and strength, you have released Prince Ancandrey from the clutches of darkness. And now, his death shall be at your hands!"

"What!" I was taken aback.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Marze was on her guard.

"You're Majesty," one of the guards said. "What happened to the prince?"

"The prince is dead and these fools caused his death!" The queen replied.

"Impossible," Marze shouted. "Lance tended to him and cured him, he was at your hands after that!"

"Silence!" The queen pointed her finger towards us and her servants surrounded us. They took out their weapons and I felt their intent to kill.

"It can't be helped then," I said. "We have to fight our way out of this Marze!"

"Let's do this!" Marze wielded her trident and prepared to fight. I summoned my tomes.

"SSSTOOOOP!" A man's voice echoed throughout the room. It was a m.a.t.u.r.ed voice with the perfect tenor pitch. Then suddenly someone jumped before the queen. He wore an azure enchanter's robe with golden sophisticated designs. He stood straight with a perfect posture before the queen. And like a gentle breeze his aura felt cool.

"Cease this posthaste, mother!" The person spoke.

"Prince Ancandrey!" The queen exclaimed. "Why are you here?"

"I managed to escape from your clutches," Ancandrey replied.

"Guards," the queen ordered. "Seize them!"

"But your Majesty!" One of the guards reprimanded.

"Disobedience shall result in death! Seize them at once."

Then the guards and the queen's special servants surrounded us three.

"You two," the prince approached us and as he came closer our necklaces started glowing. "Forcing our way out of here is our only resort. I'll enhance all our capabilities then break through the entrance!"

The prince then chanted, "O earth, heaven, and sea that encompasses all, listen to me as an enchanter and boost our skills: Fortify, Edge, Haste, Protect, Enhance." Then I felt strength surging through me.

"Was that a multiple enchantment?" I asked.

"Yes," he replied. "I cast multiple spells at once, it's one of the advantages of being am enchanter."

"Stop the chit-chat both of you!" Marze shouted as she broke through the wall of enemies that stood against the entrance.

"She's strong," the prince complimented her.

"She is!" I agreed.

"Stop spacing out you two!" She slashed back and forth but managed to only knock her opponents unconscious.

I cast Lightning Strike and we broke through the entrance. The prince boosted his defense and tackled some of our enemies. We were close to the exit.

"Do not let them escape!" The queen shouted. "Enhance," she shouted as she boosted our enemies.

"Hurry!" The prince ran towards the exit and we followed. We made it out.

"What's next?" The prince asked.

"What do you mean, 'What's next?' I thought you had a plan!" Marze replied.

"I didn't thought this far!" The prince quarreled.

Our opponents were closing in on us. I grabbed the two and jumped.

"Aahhhhh," the prince screamed. "I can't fly!"

"What are you doing Lance?" Marze asked.

"Just trust me!"

We went falling down at such a great speed. Halfway I cast Levitate on all of us but we were still falling swiftly. I cast Levitate again and again. Ground was close and our enemies were still pursuing us. We were going to crash. We were still at high speed. We were falling down. I closed my eyes and expected the end until I felt we've stopped falling and we did!

"We're safe!" The prince exclaimed.

"Let's get out of here!" I told the two as I ran towards the portal.

"Where are we going?" The prince asked me.

"To Leviuqse, we're going to hide there," I replied.

"We cannot stay in any Aenian city, we'll get caught," he replied.

"Then where do you suggest we go?" I asked as we kept running.

"I don't know," he replied.

"You two follow me!" Marze shouted as he ran towards the outskirts of the city.

"Where are we headed Marze?" I asked.

"To fulfill Breanna's request!" She replied.

We made it outside of the city to the flower-filled plain. I looked back and saw our enemies in a swarm of pursuit.

"Let's go!" We made it to the mystic marsh. We still continued going even though the vegetation slowed us down exponentially.

"I can no longer go any further," I gasped for air.

"Let's stop here," the prince replied.

"We made it out safely!" Marze was panting.

Then suddenly a heavy fog enveloped the surroundings. Visibility was cut off but I still felt their presence.

"This is...," I said.

"Breanna," Marze replied.

"Well done!" Breanna's voice echoed. "You have lifted my son from the clutches of darkness and have brought him here. Now you can vanquish Aenia of the darkness, seek the staff that I have bestowed upon thee and fulfill this quest."

Then the fog dispersed and I felt refreshed. My fatigue disappeared and I sat down a root.

"We haven't been properly introduced," the prince said. "My name is Ancandrey A. Rose, enchanter, prince of Aenia or what I was supposed to be."

"I'm Lance Foris, a mage," I replied.

"My name's Marze Duazer, a valkyrie," Marze answered.

"Nice to meet you, Lance, Marze," he bowed in a royal way.

"It's nice to meet you too, uhh, Prince Ancandrey," Marze answered as she made a funny curtsy.

The prince laughed, "Call me Drey," the prince replied.

"So Drey, what happened with your mother?" I asked.

"Well," he started recalling. "A fairy without wings is not a fairy that is what she believes in."

"How terrible!" Marze pitied him.

"Anyways, you are my companions on this journey?" He asked.

"Yes we were also chosen by Erian, these unremovable necklaces are proof of that." We showed our necklaces to him.

"I see, so what should we do next?"

"I think we should first find the Staff of the Four Winds and let you equip it," Marze suggested.

"That is the best plan," agreed.

The sun was still on its peak when we started searching for the staff. A new ally arrives to aid us on this adventure. How will we fare in the future?