Wrathful whispers. Voices of anguish. Speaking as one, in a language she knew, but had never spoken. They did not bid her welcome. She was an intruder. Of the bloodline... the cursed ones. But one voice pierced through. It called her ‘Redeemer.’ Her and her sister...
“Redeemer....” It said. “At westward light, this hand of ours strikes the one. Answer the call... for it rings across Mageia...”
The voice faded but now it seemed to be calling her name. “Emma... Emma...”
“Emma!”
Emma awoke with a start, looking around for a moment. At first, she didn’t know where she was. But she saw her sister’s friendly face staring back at her, the goofy grin ever-present, and it brought her back to her situation. “You were talking in your sleep. Having dreams again?”
“Something like that...” Emma said. “We should get moving. We’ve been here so long and all we’ve gotten ourselves is chased around by shadows and forced into hiding...”
Her pink haired sister smiled at her, a sparkle in her bright green eyes. Her pale skin contrasted her black outfit; sleeveless tunic, knee length skirt, steel cuirass, and matching armlets, a brown belt wrapping her waist, tall, strappy sandals, also black, and a sword almost made of the shadows themselves, with its red hilt and grip, sheathed at her side.
“Ah, it’s nothing but a setback! We’ll figure out what to do eventually.”
“Right... we’ve been here what, a week or so? And how many times have those shadows tied you up?”
Lana giggled. “I lost count after five...”
Her sister growled back, her fiery orange eyes betraying her frustration. Caramel skin contrasted her white outfit, sleeveless, low cut top, short skirt that reached mid-thigh, adorned with leather straps, a cuirass of studded leather, fingerless leather gauntlets, and matching sandals to her knees. The golden sword sheathed at her side went with her shining, long purple hair.
“And how many times did you get caught on purpose?” Emma asked.
“Only half...”
Emma raised an eyebrow. “Okay, like most of the times. But there was at least three where I didn’t see them coming and couldn’t draw my sword in time!”
“Your sword is just about the only thing that keeps them at bay. Mother knew, somehow...” Emma sighed. “Why she gave you the shadow sword, I’ll never know...”
“It’s not like I don’t know how to use it...” Lana said, twirling with a flourish and in one elegant, smooth motion drew the sword and held it level with her shoulder, pointing the tip between her sister’s eyes, a goofy grin on her face.
“Careful where you point that thing...” Emma said, pushing the blade aside. “You don’t want to test me.”
“Oh ho! Feeling sassy, Em? Come on, let’s spar then!”
“No, Lana. We have to focus...”
Something in her dream returned to her then. At westward light, this hand of ours strike the one.
“Westward light...” Emma said, muttering to herself.
“What’s that, Em?”
“Be quiet for a moment so I can think!” Emma said.
Lana giggled. “Come over here and make me then!”
Emma growled under her breath. “Now I understand what mother went through training the Order...” Emma said, massaging her temples. The name ‘Elyn’ came to her then...
“I’m not tying you up, you fool... just co-operate with me... please?” Emma said, turning to her sister. Lana sighed.
“Oh, you know I can’t say no when you go all ‘poor baby sister’ on me...”
“Baby sister nothing. I’m two minutes older,” Emma said.
“Ooh, two whole minutes! You’re also shorter, not as strong...”
“Excuse me?” Emma said, turning to Lana.
“We’ve proved it! You remember all that arm wrestling...”
Emma growled again. “Damn it, you’re going to rub that in for the rest of our fool lives...”
“Don’t you know it!’
“All right, enough! Just let me think...”
Lana resisted the urge to further tease her sister and fell silent. Emma thought about the words again. “Westward light... sunset...” she said. “Our hand strikes the one... that doesn’t make sense.”
“What doesn’t?”
“It must mean a clock, but then why would it be striking one at sunset?”
“Could be the clocks are all off. Nobody’s really lived here for... who knows how long?”
“Hmm... could be right. And there was that clock tower on the other side of the city.”
“Does this mean we’re going out into the streets again?” Lana asked.
“I suppose it does.”
“But... based on what? Where are you getting all this from?”
“The dreams, Lana. Someone’s speaking to me. Now, we have our heading. Let’s head out.”
Emma stepped to the front door of the empty, abandoned house, the place still rather lavishly decorated, though covered in dust, parts of the walls decaying from possible centuries of disuse.
“Soo...” Lana said, cheerfully. “What happens if I get caught by those shadows again?”
Emma drew her sword and held it out to Lana. “For now, we trade weapons. You want to get yourself caught, at least give me a fighting chance. That time we both ended tied up in that temple is something I’d like to forget sometime soon...”
Lana drew her sword and held it out, taking Emma’s golden one. “Oh fine, you big baby. But come on, escaping together like a couple daring heroines, like the Order of Ikaatan, it was fun! Admit it!”
“I’ll admit nothing. Now, try to stick with me for at least a little while. We were told it would take both of us to save this place. At least try to do your part in that.”
Lana saluted her sister, smiling. “Aye, captain Emma!”
Emma sighed. “You are an absolute dork..”
...
It took them most of that day to cross the expanse of the city, avoiding the shadows as they went. Lana nearly jumped out of cover several times but Emma pulled her back each time until they finally reached the looming clock tower on the very edge of the city. It practically beckoned them, like a beacon, resting on the very edge of a rocky outcropping, nothing but clouds and sky out beyond and below it on the very back edge.
The sisters stood below the tower, staring at the stone staircase leading up to ancient, hardwood doors. The large clock at the very was still moving but, based on the position of the sun, the time was clearly wrong.
The sun itself was just beginning to dip lower on the western horizon. Lana looked back and forth between the tower and her sister for a few moments.
“So, um, I hate to ask this now but.... what are we doing here, exactly?”
“Answering the call... whatever that means,” Emma replied. “For it rings across Mageia...”
“Not exactly sure what you’re talking about there, sis...”
Emma sighed. “It’s from the dream I had this morning.”
“That’s what they said to you?”
“Yeah... I wish they wouldn’t be so cryptic.”
Lana shrugged. “Could be they’re testing us. Might be why those shadows keep tying us up.”
“Tying you up. They only got me once. But now I’ve got the right sword,” Emma said. “Not happening again.”
Lana giggled. “Don’t pretend like you didn’t have fun.”
“We’re not here for fun, Lana. This is important. The people here... they’ve been suffering. This curse, it... it robs them of everything. Their life. Their happiness. Their love. Their freedom to be themselves...”
“But who says saving people isn’t fun, Em?”
Emma didn’t answer that question. She couldn’t think of an answer. Instead, she continued watching the clock tower.
“Maybe you’re right,” Emma said. “Could be a test. Part of it is that they hate us, though.”
“Because of what our grandmother did?” Lana asked.
“She’s the one who started this whole curse so.... yeah. But that’s why it’s up to our bloodline to fix it.”
Lana scoffed. “So typical. Older generation screws it up, leaves the kids and grandkids to pick up the pieces.”
Emma smirked. “You know who you sound like?”
Lana playfully punched her sister’s shoulder. “Oh don’t you even go there! You know I’m right! Besides, it’s you who sounds more like her.”
Emma chuckled and stepped closer to the tower. “Any minute now, I suppose. Sun’s almost ready to set. Have to wonder what this ‘call’ is we have to answer...”
The clock drew nearer to the hands pointing to 12 and 1.... and then, finally, the bells rang out. All around the island, the deafening sound echoed to all who could hear. And before they could react, Emma felt herself pulled backward by her wrist.
“What!?” A golden cord had wrapped itself around her right wrist and resisted as she fought it. “What the hell is... Lana!”
She noticed her sister, not fighting back, as the same golden cord had fully wrapped up her wrists, binding them behind her back. “What are you doing!?”
“Hey, this must be the answer to the call, right?” She smiled sheepishly.
“Nnnghh! What are you smirking about!?”
Lana giggled. “Check my hip...”
Emma looked... and spotted her own golden sword sheathed there. “Damn it! Of course! That thing can probably cut these-woah!”
Emma’s left wrist was then grabbed by a golden cord, seeming to come out of the ground. “Why the hell would I have traded swords with you!?”
“Um... to fight the shadows, remember?” Lana said, as more of the thick cord wrapped up her arms, framing her chest, and pinning her wrists to her back with a loop around her waist.
“Ugh... this... gaahh! What was I thinking....”
Finally, the cords had managed to tightly bind Emma’s wrists behind her back, but still she fought as more began to wrap up her arms identically to her sister.
By now, Lana’s ankles and knees had also been tied. Emma fought on, still, but her arms and chest were still wrapped up as the cords further stole her ability to fight back. As Emma fought on, a cloth made of a similar, golden material filled up Lana’s mouth, while another wrapped around her mouth tightly.
“Mmhmmhmm!” Lana giggled, shifting slightly in her bonds. “Jhhfft lmmt mmt hhmmpnn!” Lana said into her gag. “Ymm knnw yyu mmjmm mmt!”
Emma had spent enough time listening to her sister’s voice through a gag to understand her words. “Don’t tell me what I do and don’t enjoy, Lana, ugh!” Emma grunted as her knees were locked together, wrapped up in cord, followed swiftly by her ankles. “You know I don’t like this in the same wa-mmpphh!”
Quickly gagged identically to her sister, the two were then locked into matching, golden collars with thin chains attached. An invisible force began pulling the chains and forcing the sisters to hop forward, toward the clock tower.
“Mmmmpph!” Emma grunted and growled, fighting every last inch of the way but the chain attached to her would not relent, nor let her fall over, and kept her hopping forward. Lana, meanwhile, giggled and squirmed happily as she was led forward, complying with the tugging force making her hop. She had been moving considerably faster than Emma, still struggling against her bonds and fighting back with everything she had.
But the pull wouldn’t stop. They kept hopping forward, the front door to the clock tower swinging wide open and letting them in.
“Nmmm!! Mmm mmmff!!” Emma continued to battle her restraints but she was forced to hop up three short steps, behind her sister, who was now humming away and smiling beneath the gag. Finally, after a long battle, becoming soaked in sweat, Emma was pulled forward into the door with Lana, the entrance slamming shut behind them, sealing them in darkness.
...
Their vision remained blind for what felt like hours. Until, finally, a beam of light shone down from the centre of the vast, empty room in which the two sisters found themselves. From the beam of light descended a long figure, draped in green and gold... her bare legs visible through slits in the skirt of a long dress with long sleeves adorned by slits as well, baring her perfect ebony skin. Though the pair could see through her as though she were a spirit. She stopped in the centre of the floor, atop a raised platform, and beckoned them both closer.
The chains attached to their collars tightened and pulled them, forcing the two to hop toward the mysterious spirit woman.
Finally, they stopped just a few feet shy of the raised, circular platform, finally noticing the patterned, tiled floor around them that seemed to stretch for miles. The tiles matched the spirit woman’s dress.
“I must apologize,” an echoing, soft voice said. “Mageians know only restraint as a method of communication.”
Emma rolled her eyes. Well that much is obvious... she thought.
“I am the Spirit of Mageia. You are both of the blood... Alhanna the Immortal...” the voice said.
Emma and Lana both shared worried glances, shifting in their bonds to keep balance on their tied legs.
“You’ve come for the prophecy...”
The girls nodded slowly, Emma squirming slightly, hoping to be untied. But her bonds remained tightly in place.
“It is nearly the day of Festival of the Three Suns. And you have answered the call.”
Wait... three suns? Emma thought. So this is part of the prophecy.
“Which means... you must let tomorrow pass. It is the worst day in this city, every year... once, it was a wonderful, bright festival, celebrating our island’s harvest, brought about by the Three Suns. It is only the one, in reality, but within the Great Hall, it’s domed, glass ceiling projects the sun into three images. The most powerful mages would worship there until nightfall. It is how... Alhanna...” the Spirit trailed off.
“Now, the shadows roam, destruction in their wake. The city and its self repairing magic is waning with each passing year. They would kill any who stand in their path. The shadows... they are desperate. The power, the curse... they seek only to break it. But there is only one way...”
Emma and Lana both leaned toward the Spirit, waiting to hear the answer.
“Such things will be revealed when the day passes... as the prophecy foretells. So it is that I must keep you protected here. Not to worry. The cords you are bound with have powerful enchantments. You will be able to sleep and feel nourished...”
Emma sighed. Great. So... not untying us then. Just wonderful...
Lana giggled from beside her, beaming at her sister. “Mmmhmm!”
“Mmmrrpphh....” Emma grumbled.
The room shrank in size in mere moments, and a comfortably warm fireplace now lay inset into a wall behind the Spirit. A pair of soft beds lay on either side of the fireplace, leaving plenty of room for the bound sisters.
“Make yourselves comfortable. The day after tomorrow, all she be revealed. The key... the font of thought... you will know all soon.
“Grrrttt...” Emma said, her complaints muffled.
Lana giggled and hopped forward. The collars on their necks remained but the chains holding them released and allowed them to hop forward freely. Emma looked behind her... and could see naught but shadow where the door once was. She let out a long breath through her nose.
“Mmff crrrfff....”
Taking the bed on the right, Lana shuffled happily as she hopped forward, letting herself flop onto the bed, letting out muffled laughter. She began struggling away, thoroughly enjoying herself. Emma simply shook her head and checked her wrist bonds for knots... but there were none to be found. Worse still, when she went to feel for Lana’s sword at her side... she didn’t feel it. Instead, when she looked up... well above the fireplace...
“Hmmmpphh....” Emma groaned. The swords were displayed on the wall, crossed over each other as though they had always been there as decorations. That meant Lana didn’t have Emma’s sword either...
“It it important you remain bound...” the Spirit said. “No weapons are allowed within the tower.”
Sighing again, Emma hopped herself forward, eventually settling into the bed on the left side of the bed. She found it very comfortable and even felt the bonds, tight as they were, soften. Despite being bound and gagged, Emma could hardly think of a time when she was more comfortable.
Wow, I could sleep for days like this... Emma tugged hard, flexing against the cords, but they did nothing.
Not much to do though Emma thought. Guess I could make like Lana and try to get out of these ropes...
So Emma began struggling in earnest, not feeling the cords budge one bit. However, she admitted, it wasn’t the least pleasant experience she’d ever had. Even sort of fun... like Lana says.
“Rest well, Daughters of the Immortal. We shall speak again when tomorrow passes us by.”
The Spirit disappeared again, leaving the bound and gagged sisters alone in the cozy room. Lana took a moment to rest, letting out a long, happy breath, having worked up a sweat and having a whale of a time. Emma laid her head back and shut her eyes.
Yeah, sleep ought to do us some good. Might help take my mind of the magical abduction and all... Emma thought, letting out another long breath. It didn’t take long for sleep to claim her mind, her dreams ready to whisper to her once more.