Thank you those who reviewed my story, thank you for your thoughts. There was a bit of a struggle to fit in information at the end of the first one --(maybe I can fix that later).

Regions of Benevolent Darkness- Betrayal

“Feryn! Can you believe it? We’re ranking up!” Marile said, smiling broadly at Ferynon. Ferynon nodded.

“I know, we’ll finally be learning armed wizardry! No more using our power merely to scrub pots!”

The boys were walking down one of the many long corridors of the Bastion. The luxurious hall seemed to stretch to infinity as the made their way to the Hall of Eminence, where they were to be ceremonially increased in status. They felt and looked magnificent, both garbed in princely black silk robes, with gold trimmings along the collar and cuffs.

Risings only happened every three years or so, thus the entire Order was fully prepared for a reason to celebrate. Every sorcerer, sorceress, and a multitude of assorted magical creatures from across the region had gathered to pay their respects to the two boys who would be joining into a group which protected the well being of the region; The underlying reason being the Grand Feast, of course. Lanterns flickered and sparked, leaving unsettling shadows to play against the walls. The boys’ footsteps sliced through the silence, like a carnivore on a docile creature.

“This is it Marile.” Ferynon whispered as they came to a stop before the entrance to the Hall. The door seemed so large, towering before them, the only thing left in their way. Ferynon inhaled deeply and lifted a hand toward the door. How many people were going to be in there? “Hah, getting stage fright already?” Marile stepped forward, pushing the door open a crack. “Here we go!” He exclaimed with a grin, flinging the door back. A roar of applause flooded out to them, like water released from a dam.

“A round of applause to wizards Ferynon and Marile, our newest 3rd rank wizards!” Ferynon was elated. It was the best thing in the world, to finally be truly considered a wizard and not a scullion, or as the were officially called, 2nd rank wizards. He’d worked hard for six years to get to this moment. They stepped into the threshold of the Hall. A room of smiling faces greeted them. Ferynon scanned the myriad smiles to find familiar ones, as Marile stepped up to the Council. “Ferynon!” He turned to see one of his best friends squeezing through the crowd. “Congratulations! I’m glad for you.” said his friend Reasah. “Thanks! That means a lot.”

Marile made his way to stand before the table of the Council. His eyes grew wide as he inspected the person at the head of the table. “What th-”

Ferynon was blinded as the world flashed red.

“Reasah?” The room settled darkly, and Ferynon’s vision flooded back. The room was empty, totally void of almost every being which filled it before. Ferynon’s steps rang out like thunder in the vast empty room as he walked over to the petrified form of Marile. “What happened? Where’d everyone go?” Marile said nothing as he stared intently into the dark recess near the Council table.“I can help you with that Ferynon.” came a lilting drawl from within it. Ferynon stepped back.

“No . . . what’s going on?” Impossible, there was no way everyone could just disappear. . .

“It was a wonderful reception, no? The best I could conjure.” Stepping forward, the speaker flourished, lighting every lamp in the grand expanse of the Hall. Marile gasped loudly. “Was it that impressive? Or did the sight of me frighten you?” The vision of this man was certainly something to be awed. Lavish black locks curled around soft, pale features. Icy blue-green eyes, bare of any emotion stared out at them from a flawless face, excluding a healed gash running from the left corner of his mouth, to the base of his neck. “It’s amazing how quickly people will surrender when faced with certain death.” Ferynon’s brow wrinkled. “What are you talking about? Where is everyone?”

The man cackled. “They belong to me now.” “What? What did you do? Where’s Reasah?”

“Tsk. Your so inquisitive. Don’t worry, all questions will be answered when you come along. You will be joining me won’t you?” Ferynon shook his head. “Who. . . who are you?” The man’s face twisted in mock pain. “Come now. You have forgotten me?” He stepped to Ferynon lightly, cupping his chin in a delicate hand.

“It’s me. . . Fier . . .”

“No! Fier!” I sat up, wincing at the sharp pain in my side. I drank in my surroundings. I lay on a small pallet in the corner of a dark, cluttered room. The walls of the room sloped inward at the top, all the way to the high ceiling. Multiple unidentified oddities lay strewn over the floor. I called out.

“H-hello?” There was shuffling to my far right and a hushed whisper.

“Well, If he’s awake go over and say hello!” a familiar voice told the whisperer. More whispers.

“You flaming flower!” I watched her silhouette as Taubey stood up and walked over to the other side of the room. She lit a lamp, and most of the room was illuminated. “Hiya, Ferynon.”She smiled softly.

She gestured over to the right corner, where a creature like her sat looking lost.

“That there is my brother. Stand up ya goose!” refering to the creature in the latter sentence. He stood slowly, dropping the blanket that had been covering his long legs. He looked just like her, except he was a head taller, and of course was male. He waved to me.

“Hullo there. How are you?” He said slowly, as if unsure if I was able to understand.

“Hi. I’m just peppy, thank you.” Taubey giggled. “His name is Erinoj” she stated.

“Erin, if you would be so kind.” He broke in. Taubey walked over to me and plopped down on the floor. “You’ve already asked your questions.” she said seriously. “Now it’s my turn.” She looked me in the eye and frowned. “What in the ocean are you doing here?” I opened my mouth. “I. . . have no idea.” She rolled her eyes. “Well, that explains it.” she tried again. “Where are you humans coming from? You were the second one in two days!” My eyes grew wide with shock. “What! You saw someone else?” She and her brother nodded sadly. Erinoj spoke up first. “Yes, but when we took her for questioning she killed herself before they could start.” My heart sank. Taubey shook her head. “This is bad. My father told me this was going to happen. What are we going to do? Four humans in two days!?”

“What do you mean? You know what’s going on?” I broke in intently.

“Not fully, just snippets.” She looked over to her brother, who then took the lead. “Our father told us once that the entire world was once joined.” I nodded. “Yes, I know that theory.” “Yes, well, it was decided that the world needed to be split. There were too many different species and beliefs, in spite of the common language.” Again I broke in, for fear that this history lesson was going no where. “What are you trying to say?” Erin’s eyes widened. “Don’t you get it? Your not supposed to be here! They split the world for a reason.” Taubey interrupted. “That leads to, how did anyone get here?” They sat looking at me for a moment, then Erinoj stood up.

“We should take him to foreman Hayke.” Taubey jumped up. “No! We did that with the other. I don’t want to let another die!” “But he’s not the same as her, don’t forget, she never said a word. I’m taking him. He might know something he’s not telling us.” he said, grabbing my arm. “No!” Taubey whined, pushing him back. “Stop. Please, you know they’ll do.” He grinned. “Quite so, I’m afraid, but I don’t trust him.” With that he grabbed me again and yanked me out of the wooden door.

“Another human!?” exclaimed the foreman. We stood on the sandy bank of a large lake. Erin held my wrists as I stood before the large Cerupel. Erin nodded.

“That’s alarming. . . We only just got those others from within the cave, and now this one pops up?” Erin shook his head. “I have reason to believe Taubey was attempting to keep you in the dark when she discovered this one.” A sharp intake of breath told me that Taubey was standing to left.

“Taubey! What have you to say for this?” She opened her mouth, but then closed it again.

“Well, you and this creature are going to be held for questioning. Take them to the center.” He said as I was lifted by my waist and carried away.”

“Oh. So center is just a nice word for dungeon on this Region?” I mumbled. Taubey sat in the same cell as me , but had moved to the opposite corner. She looked up from the ground and glared. “Shut up you idiot.” “Alright then.”

I sat, fidgeting with a stray thread on my robe. “I’m not sure, but I think Erinoj betrayed you.”

“. . . shut up. . . This is all your fault. Don’t you know I’m too young to be going against the law?” I laughed at that. “If I had just handed you over, like a good citizen, I’d be home right now.” She pouted. “I didn’t ask you to take me home.” She stared at me. “Your lucky I did, I patched up your wounds.” She did it good too, I barely felt any more pain, except the occasional twinge. I could have died. “Thank you.” I said quietly. She slid over on the cold floor until she was right next to me. “I don’t know what to do Ferynon. My own brother!” I could see tears forming in her eyes. “Well, at least they will let you out after questioning.” I said, contemplating my own grim fate, which seemed to hold gruel and little else. Taubey whimpered. “They’re going to torture us Ferynon.”