Zaria: Metamorphosis

PROLOGUE

The rain fell heavily on my face as I opened my eyes to see where I was. I felt terrified and cold as I observed how dangerous my position was. A group of soldiers aimed their guns at me with determination. Slowly, I looked around at them with such weakness, my entire body felt like a large ton of bricks hung below my neck. Each soldier had a specific number on their arm, but I wasn’t sure why. It reminded me of the Farrows with their symbolic pentagrams, but I knew they weren’t part of that group. Something inside of me was eerie and dark, as if the men before me were rather foe than friend.

I was so weak; I couldn’t even open my mouth. Two of the soldiers walked up to me and approached with slight hesitation and precaution. One of them bent down and grabbed me with his hand by the back of my head.

Who are you?! the soldier asked with anger.

My body hung over his arm and I coughed up blood. The soldier backed away as I passed out on the ground. As I drifted slowly into the abyss, I listened to the calming sounds of my heart beat. In a way, the rain was just as soothing, but it was the flash of lightning that terrified me. When another strike lit up the sky, I faded slowly to a quiet place where there was nothing but barren land. I looked around at the place before me, recognizing it as what used to be my home.

The only familiar scent was the smell of blood. It was oddly stimulating as I watched the dust whip into small twisters on the ground. No one was in sight and I was standing what felt like the center of the world, all alone and afraid. Slowly, I bent down and gathered some of the soil, but it felt rough and crumbled in the cracks of my fingers. A strong wind continued to blow as I turned around in a full rotation to see if there was any sign of life. All I kept hoping for was a light, but I wasn’t sure if I was dead or just dreaming.

Something eerie was in the air. I felt terrified and chills ran down my spine, causing me to shift in every direction until I spotted a white figure in the distance. At first, it appeared as a blurry vision and then I saw her beautiful, brown eyes. Her familiar presence struck me in a heartbeat as she reached down on the barren land and pressed her hand firmly to the Earth. A calm breeze washed over the entire area and the grounds lit up with green lands and colorful flowers. I stood for a moment and watched as she came towards me like she was floating.

Mom?

Her face lit up in the sun as it broke through the sky like it was trapped for centuries. I covered my face to block out the brightness when I saw her calm smile. If I was dead, I was glad to be where I was.

Mom?

Hello, sweetheart, she said. There was a slight echo in the sky.

I thought I lost you for a moment, I said, remembering when she jumped in front of the bolt to save me. I thought you died.

I am always going to be here for you, she assured me. But I’m afraid your journey is not over. It’s not your time to go yet.

But I want to be with you, I begged her.

She came over to me and gently touched my arm. My entire body filled up with warmth and I felt safe.

I will never leave you, Elara, she said.

Her hand gracefully came to my cheek and she smiled at me once more, assuring me I was safe. She backed away and I felt empty and cold.

Mom? I shivered with fear as the entire area became dark. Mom.

Her figure flickered like a flame until she disappeared from my sight. I looked up at the sky as the clouds start to roll in. The ground beneath my feet became barren again and my heart started to pound heavily. For one moment, I thought it was all over because Lionus was gone, but it wasn’t. I wasn’t sure if it would ever be.

The rain started to pour down on me and it felt slightly refreshing and powerful. Lightning lit up the sky above me and I stared up while extending my hands out to embrace the rain. When the second strike came, I saw a figure before me again, but it had red eyes and it was black. With each strike, it disappeared and came back from a different place. I turned around quickly and saw the figure again, breathing heavily and starting to panic.

I shifted in a circle with fear when a lightning strike lit up the sky with more power and I became blind. My heart sped up like I was running a marathon until my eyes reopened and I saw the lightning again, but it was against a new sky. There was a dark-skinned man carrying me as I glanced over, realizing I was still weak after the short run-in with the soldiers. The man’s arms were strong and hugging me close to his body, but I shifted, causing him to look down at me. Surprised, he leaned over me slightly to cover my face from the rain.

Are you okay? he asked me.

Who are you? I asked weakly.

My name is Darius, he replied loudly over the down pour. You’re going to be okay. I promise.

I nodded slowly and relaxed my head against his chest. He followed the soldiers that approached me earlier, but I didn’t know where they were going. The dark man was a complete stranger to me, but he saved my life. Whatever reason I was still alive, I had to be thankful.

Just before I passed out in the man’s arms, I turned my head away from his chest to see the destination that he was taking me to. A tall castle stood on top of a hill with a fort around it, beneath large steel gates that gloriously sat on the highest mountain. It was the first time I saw Metamorc castle. My new home.

CHAPTER ONE:

TRAINING AS A FATE

Over a century ago, a well, known man named Loryas was given the ability to be part of something magnificent. It was meant to be a harmless journey to create alternate dimensions so people could find sanctuary when the battle against evil was upon the world. When the Council of Power assigned Loryas to open a new dimension, the power got the best of him. Instead of building a sanctuary, he built a dimension where the best men and women would train for battle. He believed that the world didn’t deserve sanctuary; they deserved to be protected. I guess in some ways, he thought he could save the world from being destroyed in Armageddon.

Unfortunately, when the councilmen found out about his betrayal, Loryas blocked off the dimension from the world. Without hesitation, Loryas began to build his army and his village. A village he called Metamorc. At first, it became a small place where innocent people could find shelter and live healthy, normal lives. When darkness was upon the village of Metamorc, Loryas took drastic action and recruited young men and women to train in a small facility at the top of Metamorc’s highest peak. They learned to harness their powers from the ancient forests and train with weapons and hand-to-hand combat. Loryas believed he was safe from the darkness until a powerful evil called the Black Shadows tried to destroy the village. His army wasn’t prepared for this unfamiliar darkness.

After years of battling the Shadows, Loryas and his village was saved by an unknown hero. Someone who knew the powers that could place the Shadows back into the prisons they were found. Loryas was in debt to this hero, so he built the castle above the village for all the people to see. It stood proudly as a sign of protection and strength. As the castle was in its final construction, Loryas’s wife gave birth to a son. Arcaden. On the day of Arcaden’s birth, Loryas had his warriors build tall, steel gates on the highest peak they could find to block out an evil that no one was aware of.

Rumors spread around the village about the hidden secrets behind the doors, but the only one informed of these dangers was the memorable hero and Loryas. After many quiet years, Loryas helped his wife with Arcaden’s childhood, teaching him to start an army and prepare for war. Since then, an army called the Fates was created.

For the last four months, the portal had been closed and I had no way of getting out of Metamorc. I didn’t expect to return, so my life changed drastically since I came to the dimension. It was the middle of September and I was in the courtyard of the magnificent castle, breathing in and out, slowly, with my hands in a prayer position. Time has passed slowly in Metamorc and I begun to train as one of them. As a Fate.

The Fates lived in the Metamorc castle above the village where we learned to protect the people from any outside danger. And from the gates. I heard the legends of what was behind the steel doors, but none of them seemed true. We trained every day because that was how it worked. As a Fate, the skills we used were meant for combat and war. Unfortunately, each of the Fates had only one memory from their past life. It was a dark memory. The Fates used those memories to fight with anger and vengeance. Sadly, I was the only Fate who got to keep all of my memories. I found that odd.

There was one weapon that made it through the portal with me and I slowly pulled it out, admiring the handy work of Wesley. My blazder lit up a bright blue as I calmly took a breath, anticipating an attack.

Suddenly, one soldier came at me from the right and swung his sword. I blocked the hit with my blazder quickly and faced him. Another soldier came at me from the left and I blocked his hit. More soldiers continued to attack me in every direction, but I wouldn’t go down.

Since the fight seemed to go on for so long, I began using my hand-to-hand combat skills to attack. With perfect movement, I continued to steal each of their swords and knock them down. Pretty soon, twenty unconscious soldiers were on the ground before me.

I put my blazder away and looked furiously at all the men I injured. The castle made us remember the battles we were in because it made it harder to forgive ourselves. We would be able to kill without a sign of mercy. To look at all the lives lost and not be angry at yourself was a waste. Our anger was our motivation.

Quickly, I stood up in a tight and formal soldier position and closed my eyes. My entire memory clicked through like a replay and I observed all the moves I made in the recent fight. After I was done, I opened my eyes and looked around at all the men again and sighed heavily. Regardless of what the Fates taught me, I was still feeling guilty about whom I was.

Being at Metamorc castle changed me. I was no longer known as Elara Porter. I was Fate 295. There were three things I hated the most about Metamorc. One, the Fates were established by numbers. Two, they got to decide who was good and who was evil. And three, they were designed and trained to kill. It was like I was already in hell.

CHAPTER TWO: MASTER ARCADEN

I started back towards the grand hall through the glorious, main courtyard. It was like a perfectly manicured lawn with lots of shrubs and odd, Celtic statues. As I admired the dim sun shadows on the stone walls, I passed through the arched tunnel onto the main entry way to the big doors. My training ended and I had to check in with one of the mentors. A familiar voice caught me just before I entered and I looked behind to see it was my master, Arcaden.

Arcaden? I called. Is that you?

Good morning, Elara, he greeted. Arcaden approached me just outside the main doors with his long, black cloak flowing behind him. When he walked, it almost looked like he was floating. He was a beautiful man with green eyes and short, brown hair. I saw you train this morning. It was brilliant. Almost like art.

Other than Darius, Arcaden was the only one in the castle that called me by my real name. He seemed to treat me as a human being, unlike most of the Fates in the castle.

Then again…you always manage to do well on your combat training, Arcaden stated. I was very pleased with this particular one.

Master Arcaden, I’m a little bit thrown, I said. I thought you couldn’t come outside. At least, with the way your health has been.

Arcaden was ill and had been for months before I arrived. No one knew what disease it was, but I felt powerless to it. A man such as Arcaden didn’t deserve to die so soon.

Please, don’t worry about me, he said. I’m fine. Would you please join me for a stroll in the gardens?

I gave him a subtle nod as he guided me through the tunnel again. We walked through the main courtyards and I observed the statues, the trees, and took in the quiet scenery. It was a beautiful sight for sure, but the insides were scary. They had the perfect secret. A magnificent fortress hid Metamorc from recognizing the true visage of the Fates. The only thing the Fates ever would be was monsters.

Arcaden and I approached the gardens in the back of the castle through another tunnel and I noticed some of the Fates had their books with them, studying like classmates normally would in the old days. The gardens were beautiful. Each fountain had a specific story, an interesting tale, and all of the flowers danced in the breeze. It smelled of wonderful rain and cherry blossoms.

As I admired the scenery, I noticed Arcaden’s nose lifted to the sky and took in the deep, fresh air.

It’s so wonderful, he said. The nature’s beauty. It’s essence. This is always my favorite time of the year. Autumn. When the trees start to change color. It’s like life, really. When the leaves start to change, we, as people, start to change. Some people believe that the seasons can have an effect on the human behavior. Did you know that?

I’ve never heard of such a thing, I admitted. It almost sounds ridiculous, actually. At least, to me.

Arcaden chuckled lightly as we approached a limestone bench. He sat down beside me and looked around the gardens once more.

The best part about autumn is the equinox, Arcaden said. It’s coming up, you know?

Yeah, I do, I replied.

They say it is the time when the sun crosses the plane of the Earth’s equator, he explained. I’m not sure how that works for us here in Metamorc. But it’s interesting, because on that day…time is supposed to be almost equal in length for day and night.

I think it works the same way everywhere, I mused.

Arcaden gave me a subtle nod. He observed my pensive expression.

Elara. I always believed that you manage yourself well here, he stated. At least, since you have arrived. Today, you took out twenty of my best men.

You could’ve fooled me, I joked.

He snuck a smile off his face and laughed.

I do admire your confidence, he said. I’m glad that you are improving here. I know it’s been very difficult adjusting to this place. Have you been feeling any different since the day Darius rescued you?

If by different, you mean better, then yes, I lied. I’m doing well. Why? Should I worry?

No. Of course not, he replied with slight hesitation.

There’s something I don’t understand, I told him. Why keep doing this? Why keep training kids to be Fates? Hasn’t Metamorc been safe?

Arcaden sighed heavily and stood up with a stern look on his face. I was skeptical as he urged me to follow him. We walked back towards the main courtyard until we reached the arched tunnel guiding us to the training yard. Both of us stood back and observed the kids in combat training. They followed the instructor down to the letter.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Arcaden’s fascination with the children. It made my stomach turn.

Beautiful, isn’t it? he asked.

They’re just kids, I replied.

He faced me with a frown. The greatest minds of our time are the youngest. At such a young age, they absorb more knowledge. They learn quickly. Elara, I can tell this makes you upset. The truth is, you must understand me. We can only mold from a new beginning. You know better than anyone that it’s not easy to pick up where you left off and try a new plan. Starting over is the only option we have.

Like the rest of the Fates here, I stated bluntly. The way you erase all of their memories. Everyone except for me.

Arcaden looked at me curiously and he folded his arms.

I thought you wanted that, Arcaden said. You act as though robbing the Fates of their past memories is a bad thing and yet you would rather have yours removed.

That’s not what I meant, I corrected. I just need to know why you chose me to keep my memories. Why not someone else?

He nodded. You’re special, Elara. And I know you don’t like talking about your previous life before Metamorc, but you have no idea what I would be doing if I erased all of your memories.

I shook my head and we watched the kids for a few more minutes. Arcaden and I stood quietly until we both went towards the main gates of the fort where the Fates could go down to the village. With a frustrated frown, I stepped down a little more and wrapped my hands around the iron bars of the gates, sensing Arcaden’s worried eyes upon me.

What’s on your mind, Elara? he asked.

I pressed my head onto the bars.

You would’ve done me a huge favor by erasing my memories, I said. All of them.

I couldn’t, he admitted.

Suddenly, I faced him and rested my back on the gates. He noticed my disappointment and then sighed heavily.

You say anger is our motivation, Arcaden, I reminded him. But I have more than one memory to satisfy that emotion.

You are the daughter of a powerful sorceress, Arcaden reminded me.

I remembered what Lionus told me before I fell in the portal and realized that for the last four months, I had to deal with my new abilities.

If I erase all of your memories, you will have no knowledge of that, he said. I want you to remember what you’re fighting for. Now, if you’re more than angry, that’s just a bonus. You can take it out on thirty of my men.

I smiled slightly and chuckled. He grinned innocently until we both heard a soft voice come from behind him, causing Arcaden’s eyes to widen.

Arcaden, you shouldn’t be out here, she said.

Arcaden grunted with frustration and I giggled as he faced the woman by the entrance tunnels.

Thank you, Dawnie, he said. You’re making it that much harder for me to return to my room.

I laughed lightly again as Dawnie approached us with determination. She was nature’s blessing to all of us in Metamorc. Dawnie loved being outside and was very active, but she was also the caretaker of the castle’s fighters as well as the illusions teacher. Her duties rested in the hands of Master Arcaden, since she acted as a nurse to him every day. It made me curious to see a woman like Dawnie in a castle with warriors. After all, she had a kind heart and inner beauty too powerful for Metamorc. Thankfully, we all needed her as a mother-like figure because she wasn’t obsessed with war. Like nature, her hair changed colors with the seasons.

There was a little bit of orange and red in it and most of it was brown like the leaves. Her eyes were honey colored, accented by her shawl and Celtic bracelets on her wrists. She was odd and unique in her own way.

What are you doing? Dawnie asked Arcaden.

I’m teaching Elara, he replied. It’s such a beautiful day. Why should I stay inside?

Dawnie shook her head with frustration.

It is a beautiful day, she said with a big smile. A day you will see from the window of your chamber.

Arcaden frowned again and I chuckled a little. They reminded me of my parents when I was younger in a way, which was comforting to know.

Perhaps, we’ll talk later, Elara? Arcaden asked me.

It’s never too much to take another page from your book, I replied kindly. I’m always honored to listen.

Excellent, he said. Later then?

Later, I repeated.

He gave me a nod and took Dawnie’s hand. They walked away back to the entrance tunnel as I heard the clock tower bell ring. I was mad at myself for not remembering Darius wanted me to practice. Once again, I was late and I knew he would be furious with me.

CHAPTER THREE:

DARIUS THE GREAT

Ever since my mother died, I found out she had special gifts. It was difficult for me to deal with the idea of her being able to carry a power greater than herself. In my blood ran her strength, but my powers weren’t as powerful as hers. Some part of me didn’t want to work with Darius to gain an ability to understand and control the type of gifts I had. To me, they were more like a curse.

Darius always seemed to get angry easily. It was mostly because I was young and he had a problem with teenagers who acted impatient with him or just bothered him. He was over 1,000 years old. All those years had to make him cranky. In all fairness, I owed Darius my life. His heart rescued me and I trusted him the most in Metamorc. Over the four months, I trained in combat like the kids Arcaden was showing me. After being stuck in the portal, Metamorc was my only home. Everything from the outside world was gone.

The problem with Darius was that he was a wizard. Besides fighting, dimension school, illusions class, and Arcaden’s lesson, I had to learn how to hone my powers from his grouchy personality. Two months ago, Darius saved my life and helped me discover the truth about my destiny and my abilities. Lionus mentioned to me before we both fell into the portal about my mother’s special skills. I felt hurt that she kept a lot from me, but I also understood why she did it. It was too hard to tell her thirteen-year-old daughter that she was destined to save the world from evil.

Lately, being in Metamorc, it was starting to make me forget about a lot of my memories from the past. Any memory I had left of my mother felt like six years ago. It was my nineteenth birthday a few months ago and normally, I would celebrate it with people that loved me and I cared about. Wesley and Div would always try to celebrate it big, but it never mattered to me as long as they were there. Thankfully, Darius cared enough to surprise me. Unfortunately, no matter how hard he tried to make me feel welcome in Metamorc, I always felt like an outcast. I was an outcast.

The sun was sneaking out of the clouds into the trees like someone was tilting a hundred colorful, broken bottles through the branches and leaves to keep the lights dancing on the dirt path. Metamorc was a very green place. Darius liked to train me outside of the fort because he had an appreciation for nature. And whether he disliked Arcaden or not, that was the one thing they had in common.

I came upon a small creek and saw Darius sitting on a big, silvery rock. His staff relaxed against the tree beside him. Suddenly, it tapped his shoulder and pointed at me. The staff always ratted me out and I hated the long, wooden rod.

So nice of you to fit me into your busy schedule, Darius stated as he turned to look at me.

Sorry, Darius, I apologized. Arcaden was teaching me one of his philosophies. I lost track of time.

Forget about time, he said. Time will not matter soon.

My brows rose as if Darius was being dramatic. Right. As always, he frowned at my sarcasm.

Are you ready? he asked impatiently.

If I say no, you’re still going to teach me anyways, I said.

Darius got up and the staff followed him eagerly. I hated that thing so badly.

What am I learning today? I asked.

Levitation, Darius replied.

He walked over to me and pointed at the staff. It stood still quickly and I looked over happily.

I’m getting sick of it following me, Darius complained. Anyways, levitation takes concentration. Which you don’t have.

Look, Darius, you’ve tried to teach me shielding, attacking, and now, this. If it didn’t work the first time or the thirty-sixth time, why is it going to work now? I asked.

Granted you are rusty, but we just need more… Darius stopped when I interrupted.

Don’t say time, I snapped. It’s been four months, Darius. I think time has given up on us by now.

Could you at least give it a try? he asked.

I gave him a glare and then sighed heavily. He stood firmly in front of the big rock he was sitting on earlier. Then, with intense concentration, the large boulder rose from the ground as Darius’s hands controlled the motion of