They lay under the willow tree letting their hands roam each other’s body yet not wanting to go any further. It was almost a test to see if one another truly were there and would not disappear. As the birds sang there song of awakening her once again climbed onto her most favored dragon hiding her child from view. And forward she rode without a glance down with people that held their hopes within her.

All cities they had established were abandoned for their homes that had once been. Lush forests gave way to a city. It was burned to the ground its former glory was reduced to only a few reconstructed huts and a workforce.

Forward rode the kind his men walking behind him with grave faces and angry restless souls.

“See what I have become Kiran… the boy I raised. Look and see what has become of me.”

“It is nothing you did not deserve. I only grieve for your citizens. You have misused everyone for your own purposes. You knew the power you would unleash when you sent me underground, but you ignored it seeing power at your fingertips.”

“It is true and now and I have lost more than you can ever imagine. My kingdom lies in shred I lost most of my wives it the destruction of my capitol. The capitol my ancestors built to be the center of the world, Beloren. Now I thank all of you to take your leave. First these bastards storm my land then these demons, leave!”

Kiran had the king by the throat, and hundreds of swords pointed at his throat. “Goodbye father.” He spat the words venomously.

“Brother,” squeaked a young child-woman. Despite the destitute surrounding which they inhabited this girl wore the finest of clothing. Her skin was a dark tan along with her hair and she was slowly blossoming into a beautiful woman. Princess Azared the cheerful ran to hug the demon king pushing several soldiers and her gasping writhing father. She stepped back, her black her shimmering it the scorching sun. Though her clothes were obviously well made it was worn and it was clear she was helping the men work to restore her home and kingdom to its former glory.

“I am now fourth in line brother. It seems you should be careful what where you place your worries. And my little brother is sixth it is a good thing you reminded me of him that day for I did take him out of the flames of our home. Are you finally out to join those outside in the desert?”

“Yes it appears to be my place after all.”

“Any room for you pestering baby sister?”

“Plenty,” he replied with sparkling eyes and the slightest eminence of a smile. The king stood to protest and the guards looked to each other in a confusion not sure what to do, but were quick. Princess Azared the cheerful ran to hug the demon king pushing several soldiers and her gasping writhing father. She stepped back, her black her shimmering it the scorching sun. Though her clothes were obviously well made it was worn and it was clear she was helping the men work to restore her home and kingdom to its former glory.

“I am now fourth in line brother. It seems you should be careful what where you place your worries. And my little brother is sixth it is a good thing you reminded me of him hat day for I did take him out of the flames of our home. Are you finally out to join those outside in the desert?”

“Yes it appears to be my place after all.”

“Any room for your pestering baby sister?”

“Plenty,” he replied with sparkling eyes and the slightest eminence of a smile. The king stood to protest and the guards looked to each other in a confusion not sure what to do, but were quickly silenced by a deadly glare from Kiran. And so they went a mass of hundreds through the burned mass of a wall now burned. Into the scorching heat they feel never stopping yet they would not tire for as they walked something seemed to give them strength. And so forward they fell into dryness never stopping and never trying until… nothingness. A black void faced them. And from the clouds came a girl. Her white hair flowed from her body like silk swirling and wrapping itself around the girl. Her eyes once white turned golden and a void. For the first time they saw what she cared for within the forest. The boy was placed upon the ground mirroring the depthless shadow.

The boy extended a small chubby hand equal to that of any infant if not for the tiny pointed claws. He smiled the grin of a soul untamed by humanity and untainted by malice. It was but a pup that the darkness embraced as its child wrapping nothingness around him, cradling him in its sorrow. He was the key that held the life of the desert. His laughter nourished the darkness the had enfolded it and it gave back what it had taken. So the water rose from the ground and plants grew creeping along the marsh sky and the ground expanded and cracked. Thunder streaked the sky. Hands clutched each other trying to hold onto each other. Through all of this Hali had run towards her son and wrapped her arms around the inconsolable key who did not understand what he had just done. Suddenly she awoke as if in a dream.

She was in a meadow with grass as tall as herself. She heard a gurgle from underneath her and found her babe pulling on her… red hair. She rushed to examine herself on a flowing stream. Her ghostly pale skin had turned a light cream yet she was till fair and her eyes had gone back to its shade if blue green. The flowing gown she wore was still there… she didn’t understand. The maiden explored for the next few days running along the marsh and sipping honey suckle.

She had decided to name her son Saren after Kiran’s most favorite stallion. It was a light hearted name without much attachment and she found it to be the best. He had grown string and beautiful. Saren was always silent looking up to her with the curiosity of a child. She saw her father in him and in the second month of their stay in what seemed an endless forest his hair grew enough to curl in the unruly way that was his father’s what he had been human.

She slept that night under the sliver of the newly appeared moon. Fireflies swam around her body ruffling her now torn but river cleaned dress. Far away she heard her name called by pale lips. She saw one she had been searching for all this time. His hair had grown slightly longer no doubt he had not found a tailor in all the mess. It was curled and an eye that was once silver was now a vivid sapphire. She smiled at her a smile of pure joy for her. He was still demon with fangs and claws but he was different.

“I have found you,” his face turned to one of relief as he collapsed in his knees in front of her pulling Saren onto his lap. Speaking of the stallion, their lost friend was tied to a leash on his arm. At her enquiring brown he looked at her and uttered

“I set all the animals in that town you were in when we took it and he found his way to me again. It is amazing all of us together after everything and now a new addition.”

“Where is everyone?”

“We were all separated by the earth quaked that restored he land. You should have warned then you know,” he laid his head on her lap. “We found the ruins of a town when people live here and they are starting to gather again.”

“So it has all started over again.”

“We are in a better place than last time.”

“Do you remember me now?”

“After the earth quake one of the goddesses came to me. I don’t know which one but she gave me back my memories. She came as a caladrious. Hah” he paused finding some irony in their situation. “I bet she was the same caladrious the entire time messing with our lives. His “his tone turned pleading. “Become my mate… my only mate. The continent is new and I am but an anonymous face in this crowd if I wish to be.”

“What about your people and duty.”

“They are better to govern themselves and I am tired. Let’s build a white picket fence love.”

“Yes that would be lovely,” she replied resting her chin in her hand. “My lover.”

“Only if you are mine”

“No Kiran we have a country to rebuild and an emprie to strengthen, and we shall do so together.”

“With thee as my crutch I can build mountains,”…

End

A/N I don’t really like the end it seemed a bit rushed but I think it is ok… I truly believe it would have been better with more detail and drawn out but I’m tired so… it is over! Yay onto something else!