Emma’s eyes shot open and, for a moment, she didn’t know where she was, nor why she was tied up.

“Mmmpphh!” she grunted, trying to move her limbs, and they refused to respond. She struggled violently for a few seconds before stopping to look around... and the memories all came flooding back to her.

The spirit of Mageia. Being magically tied up by the golden cords. The ‘font of thought’ or whatever it was that the supposed prophecy foretold of.

Emma shifted slightly. She and her sister, Lana, had been bound and gagged for two straight days. The magic kept them comfortable and nourished, of course, but she would have preferred the ability to move. Still, without threat of danger, Emma did actually find struggling, attempting to escape, to actually be a sort of fun challenge.

But, finally, the spirit appeared in the room again. Her beautiful form, and flowing, verdant garb brought both sisters to attention.

“You have awakened. That is good,” the spirit said. “The time has come to show you what you have sought.”

Emma sat up, glancing down at the ropes, hopeful. The spirit snapped her fingers and golden collars snapped around each woman’s neck with chains attached. Emma let out a frustrated groan. Of course she’s not untying us... I should have known.

The chains pulled firmly and forced both women out of their beds onto their feet, hopping to the centre of the room.

“The Festival of Three Suns has passed. Come. I will show you the Great Hall and the Font of Thought. It is within where the key lies.”

Another snap of her fingers and, before either Emma or Lana knew what was happening, they were no longer in the small, cozy room. Now they were standing in a beautiful courtyard. Though it looks slightly overgrown, the lush green grass, tall birch trees, flowers of every conceivable colour, and perfectly carved marble walkways, lined with gilded trim, made it an awe-inspiring sight. Birds of every kind chirped and sang. A gentle, warm breeze passed through, carrying the scent of lavender along with it.

The place was nothing short of perfect, to the sisters’ eyes. And there, in the centre, stood a wide basin of marble, filled with cool, crisp, and crystal clear water. It gently fell about the centre from a high spout, falling into several, gradually smaller basins getting higher and higher. To them, this fountain may as well have been a tower it stood so high. Over the edges of each basin, the water gently murmured into each lower basin, until it reach the bottom where it pooled and rippled in tiny waves. From behind, they could see the sun perfectly aligned with the gorgeous marble structure, rising over the horizon and approaching the top of the fountain.

The bound and gagged sisters were bid by the Spirit of Mageia to hop over to the fountain. Emma forgot her captive state for a moment, awestruck by the sight, simply hopping as though mesmerized. Lana happily followed along, marvelling and taking in the place.

“This is the only other sanctuary from the shadows,” the Spirit said. “It does not keep them out during the Festival. But the rest of the time, they do not linger here. Part fear, part shame, and part anger keeps them away.”

“Mmmmpphh...” Emma grunted, still staring upon the beautifully constructed fountain before her. In all her life, she had never seen anything like it.

“This is the Font of Thought. A place of deep meditation. It is where our greatest scholars, and masters of magic, would gather to study. The Font itself was here long before any of us. Even me. It grants vision, and wisdom, to all who meditate here. But it is only during times of physical self restraint when can reach the visions of the fountain.”

Emma snapped back to attention, hearing what the spirit said. Guess that’s why we’re still tied up then she thought. Fine. If it gets us this key, I’ll do whatever it takes.

The chains pulled on the collars again and the sisters were made to kneel down and then sit, legs outstretched, in the soft grass surrounding the fountain. The spirit disappeared but her voice lingered in the air.

“Close your eyes and listen to the water,” she said. “Allow its voice to reach out and speak to your minds.”

Both women did as the spirit said and closed their eyes. Emma took in a deep breath, smelling the sweet air around her, breathing out through her nose. A voice, like the one from her dreams, spoke within her mind.

I speak to one who cannot speak in return the voice said. I reach out to one who cannot reach in return. Dive deep, seeker of the vision. Behold the key you must know.

Emma allowed herself to be pulled in, and a powerful vision overtook her senses. In an instant, while she sat bound and gagged on the ground, her senses, her mind, were travelling elsewhere.

...

Her eyes opened again. She looked down at herself... and noticed she was still tied up. Emma struggled in her bonds, sitting on what felt like a cold, stone floor. She shuffled over to a wall and managed to get herself to her feet. She took in her surroundings for a moment.

Everything was grey. The walls, the floor, the ceiling, everything. There were no windows, no doors to be seen, and the room seemed to stretch on forever. Despite there being no source of light, everything was perfectly visible in front of her.

“Lmmnmm!” Emma called out, sighing to herself. Still gagged too. Of course.

She hopped forward and looked around for her sister. She didn’t see a soul there. Emma continued hopping but stopped in her tracks when a booming voice spoke to her.

“Redeemer.” it said. “The one of the bloodline. Your Trial of Endurance is begun.”

“Trmml... wmmt?” Emma gasped as more rope shot out for her, wrapping around her arms and body, lifting her off the ground, suspended from the ceiling. The rope quickly wound between her bound ankles, the rope around her arms, and her wrists, to keep her stuck in a hogtie. The golden cloth around her mouth pulled tighter and another layer pulled tighter than that over her mouth and nose. While she could still breathe, it became something of a chore to get a decent breath.

Emma squirmed and struggled but quickly tired out and had to rest, the gag keeping her breaths short. Before her, something swirled around, as though a portal was opening. And there a new vision began. She stopped moving and it faded once again. The booming voice spoke.

“You must commune, body and soul, with the Vision, Redeemer. To find the answers you seek, your eyes must remain upon it.” Another rope wrapped around the knot tied into the cloth behind her head securely and attached to her ankles, keeping her head upright. Emma grunted as it pulled her tight gag even tighter.

“Your body must remain in constant movement. And mind and soul must commit to receiving the vision.”

Emma groaned. Well, at least Lana will be having fun with this part she thought. Time for a workout, I suppose. Should be good exercise, at least.

She grunted and squirmed in the ropes but the vision didn’t come. So Emma began flexing her muscles, trying to loosen them. They remained tightly locked in place and the vision still didn’t come. Finally, Emma stopped, took in as deep a breath as she could, and began thrashing around, furiously grunting as the ropes and gag pulled tighter, in all different directions, as she moved her entire body.

Finally, the portal opened and in it she saw a prisoner. A young woman. Hogtied, hung from the ceiling, and gagged, just like she herself. Emma didn’t recognize her. But she was within a cell, much like the endless room Emma herself was currently within. This cell was much smaller, however, and a loud, creaking door opened from somewhere, pouring light into the room. It slammed shut again and a beautiful woman walked in, circling the prisoner.

The woman walking looked familiar to Emma. It was then she noticed the darker complexion to her skin. Much like her own. She had orange eyes, like Emma and her mother, Lanala. Her long black hair, flowing robes of crimson, purple, and gold, tall sandals (as seemed to be the fashion statement of Emma’s entire family) brought to mind a name instantly. Alhanna Emma thought. It’s her.

She circled her prisoner. Emma, by now, was sweating profusely, panting into her gag, but kept up her frantic movements to keep the vision in her sight.

Alhanna’s cold voice spoke. “Do you know why you’re here?” she asked.

“Mmmpphhh!” the captive woman answered back.

“I am certain you do. You turned them all against me... didn’t you?”

“Nmmm, pllmmpphh!”

Alhanna bent down and grabbed her prisoner by the chin. “The vote. You rigged it! There is no way they would not choose me! I am all powerful!” Her voice rose and gradually distorted. The ground around them started to shake, dust falling from the walls. “I am The Immortal! I rule over all! There is no other choice!”

“Mmmmppphh! Pllmmph, Lllmmnnmmhh! Phtmmp!”

“You, who would hide in shadows, and tear my power from me!? You shall become one with darkness!”

“Nmmmm!” the prisoner screamed, struggling wildly, as the cell around them began to crumble.

In a blink, the bound and gagged woman disappeared, the walls repaired themselves, and the room seemed to grow darker. Alhanna took in a sharp breath and glared at the seemingly empty cell.

“Naught but shadow, your curse is eternal...” she said. “Only one with my blood can reverse it. Thus it is your curse for eternity...”

Emma stopped struggling, out of breath, and the vision disappeared again. She took in as many heavy breaths as she could, now drenched in sweat, thinking about what she just saw.

That woman... she was the first of the shadows. The first one my grandmother cursed.

And angry whisper hissed at her from her right and Emma tried to turn her head, her bonds preventing her. Its words were inaudible. But the whisper’s voice still hissed in Emma’s ears.

“Whmmph thmmrr!?” Emma called out.

“The first shadow,” the booming voice echoed. “She has joined with the others. Now free to roam, but filled with wrath for the Queen who cursed her.”

Can’t say I blame her Emma thought.

“The vision has more to tell, Redeemer.”

Emma took in a heavy breath. She threw herself into struggling again and the portal with the vision reappeared. This time Alhanna was the one hanging inside a prison cell hogtied, gagged, and struggling away, bound like Emma was right then.

Another woman walked in this time. She said nothing, reaching to her belt and holding up a knife. Emma took careful note of it. The blade was pure black metal, like Lana’s sword and the hilt and handle were gold, like Emma’s.

That’s why she had our swords made Emma thought. Our mother was protecting us, I suppose.

“I should kill you with this, by all rights,” the woman said. But she sheathed the sword. “But the vote has been cast. An eternal imprisonment suits you better.”

“Mmmrrpphh...” Alhanna growled behind her gag.

“A collar and rope made of the very material as the knife. To contain your power. You gave in, to the Voice. Its lies. Its temptations. Now it is part of you. You cannot be among us in Mageia any longer.”

“Rrrmmmmpphh!” Alhanna growled again, writhing in her restraints.

“Remain here forever, Immortal. Let us pray there are none fool enough to free you.”

The woman walked away and Alhanna, her voice distorted yet muffled by her gag, screamed after her, rage filling her voice, as the cell door was slammed shut for a final time.

Emma stopped struggling again and let her mind ruminate on the vision.

The swords! Together, they’re the key? She tried struggling again but the vision did not come this time. Instead, the booming voice spoke again.

“You have the vision. And now, to wait, for the other Redeemer to receive her vision.”

“Hmmph?” The voice went silent and Emma remained in her bound and gagged state. She was now trapped inside the vision until Lana finished with hers. And, of course, she’s going to take her sweet time. Great....

...

The pink-haired woman happily squirmed away, stuck firmly in place, in a standing position, her collar anchored to the ceiling so she couldn’t hop forward. It pulled up, tighter, and a gag over her mouth and nose made breathing a little more difficult. Now forced to stand on tiptoes, Lana heard a booming voice speak to her.

“Redeemer! Your Trial of Endurance is begun! Mind, body, and soul must commune with the vision.”

Lana nodded, understanding what that meant, and began struggling away, keeping her eyes forward, and focussed. Good thing the vision showed me Emma’s trial she thought to herself.

She kept her attention on the opening portal and saw... a ceiling of glass. It was the Great Hall, where the ceiling projected the vision of the Three Suns down onto worshippers and people there to meditate. In her vision, she watched it shatter, as a beam of light shot up from the altar in the middle. Tiny pieces of glass exploded outward, flying off, dissolving into the clouds, and the shadows themselves seemed to lift.

Lana, sweating now, grunting from the exertion of the struggle, kept up her movements, trying hard not to enjoy it too much. She had to keep her focus.

It’s showing me the future. Of what my sis and I are supposed to do.

The vision shifted and Lana kept up her struggling, watching. She could see herself. And Emma. They were together, bound and gagged as they had been by the fountain. They were hopping forward, each holding her sword, as shadows loomed around them, chasing them down. The vision faded, then came back. On each side of the altar stood a pair of small pedestals, both empty, but Lana could see the outline of the statues that once stood there. Each one was a woman, bound hand and foot, and more besides, with gags over their mouths, standing peacefully on either side of the altar. The beam of light shone from what looked like a pair of crossed swords but Lana couldn’t quite make that out.

Quickly, the vision faded again and Lana stopped to rest.

So we’re going to use our swords for... something. And we have to take the place of the statues that once stood beside the altar. And then... something will happen. That glass ceiling will break and then... I guess we’ll see.

Lana started struggling again but the vision did not reappear. Instead, she stopped when the booming voice spoke to her.

“The vision is complete. You have the key. Now, awaken!”

Lana’s eyes shot open and she was once again bound and gagged, sitting in the soft grass surrounding the marvellous fountain. She and Emma exchanged glances and nodded to each other.

“Each of you has knowledge?” the Spirit asked.

She had appeared before them again. Both sisters nodded.

“Then you know what must be done. I will send you to the steps of the Great Hall, as is my duty. The rest I leave to you.”

Emma shuffled a bit and glanced down at the ropes on her body. The spirit shook her head.

“My role is to keep you bound, Redeemer,” she said. “You will be freed when the task is complete.”

Emma grumbled into her gag but nodded. Been tied up this long. What’s a little longer if we can liberate this place?

Finally, the spirit nodded to each sister and held up her hand. “Good luck, Redeemers. The shadows will be coming... May Mageia protect you...”

She snapped her fingers and the sisters were now standing again, at the bottom of the long steps to a massive marble building. The Great Hall.

“Mmmpphh!” Lana cried out. Emma looked to her sister and she tried to point behind them.

The rushing, howling wind had gathered. Darkness surrounded them. Wrathful whispers deafened their senses. The shadows had come.

“Lmmph gmm!” Emma said, deftly hopping forward. Lana followed quickly behind. Both sisters looked to each other and saw their swords were back, each holding the other’s.

“Lmmnmm! Mm phmmrd!”

Lana nodded and muffled back. “Ymm hmmph mmmnn!”

Emma nodded her understanding back and the two continued as the oppressive shadows closed in on them. The air seemed to thicken as the sisters made slow but steady progress up the steps. The world around them kept getting darker and darker still. They both knew, if the shadows caught up, they’d never get this chance again. Their anger, their wrath for the bloodline of Alhanna the Immortal, it knew no bounds. They knew nothing but that wrath.

Finally, the two of them reached the top of the steps and the great doors opened inward, allowing the pair to hop themselves inside, swords in hand. It took several minutes to reach the altar, the shadows gaining in size, strength and, more importantly, proximity to the sisters.

“Mmmmnmm!” Lana called to her sister. “Wmmt nmmw?”

“Thmm phmmrdph! Pmmt thmm tmmgmmthmmrr!”

“Tmmgmmthmmrr?”

“Ymmph ymmph! Tmmgmmthmmrr!”

Each woman hopped to the altar. Emma placed down Lana’s shadowy, black sword, diagonally.

“Mmmph! Crmmph thmm!” Lana exclaimed, laying down Emma’s golden sword cross ways with the altar. Now they sat crossed. It took a moment but a glowing light appeared around the altar, shielding the swords. But nothing happened from there.

“Wmmt??” Emma cried out.

“Mmmnmm! Phmm ptmmptmmph!”

“Phmm wmmt?” Emma said, failing to understand her sister.

Lana hopped to one of the pedestals and tried to kick it with her bound feet. “Mmmph phmmr!”

Emma shook her head, still not understanding. Lana groaned, looking behind her. The shadows were gaining still.

“Hmmp! Mmp mmnn mmtt!”

Emma finally nodded. “Phmm wmmt?”

“Phmmph phmm dmmmrrr!” Lana shouted.

“Phmm dmmrr?” Emma asked, nodding toward the front door.

“Ymmph! Phmmph thmmt wmm!”

Emma once again nodded and hopped toward the pedestal. Lana, being the more experienced with bondage of the two, easily made the roughly 12 inch hop upward to the pedestal and shuffled her feet until she was facing the door. The same golden light surrounded her as did the swords. Emma, however, was having trouble.

The purple haired woman couldn’t get herself high enough off the ground. She was so focussed on not losing her balance that she didn’t realize how close she was and one foot made contact, sending her toppling to the floor on her side.

“Nmmm!!” Lana said, frantic, now struggling to free herself from the ropes. They held firm.

“Mmmnmm! Gmmt mmp! Thmmrr mlmmmpht hmmrr!”

Emma looked up and, indeed, the shadows had nearly reached them. She wouldn’t have long.

With a heavy grunt, Emma sat up, and shuffled backwards toward the altar. She propped her feet under her and pushed herself gradually back to a standing position. Lana screamed into her gag and Emma looked behind her again. The darkness, the swirling shadows, they were only a few feet away from them and gaining rapidly. With a hardened glare, Emma shuffled toward the pedestal and focussed.

With one mighty leap, she spun in mid-air, planted her feet firmly on the stone structure, and faced forward, standing straight and tall. Lana matched her sister’s pose and, finally, a shield of light surrounded Emma, Lana, and the swords on the altar.

From there, a beam of light burst upward, toward the glass ceiling above them. They saw the sun, projected into three images by the curved glass but, when the beam reached it, the glass shattered in an explosion, revealing just the one sun above, tiny shards of the glass flying up and out toward the sky.

In an instant, the swirling shadows dissipated. The whispers began to fade. And all at once, people reappeared. The Mageians, fully formed once again, collapsed to the ground, unconscious, but alive. One remained awake. Emma recognized her from one of the visions. It was Alhanna’s prisoner, the first one she had turned into a shadow.

“Redeemers...” she whispered.

Her expression was soft, tired, but a smile curled her lips. She looked upon them with reverence and her relieved expression remained as she closed her eyes, lay down on the ground, fell asleep with the rest of the people that had appeared.

Finally, the light dissipated and the ropes, collars, and cloths released its captives. Emma jumped down from the pedestal, rubbing her wrists.

“Did... did we do it?” she asked.

“Of course we did!” Lana said. “Though I’m not sure why they’re asleep...”

The Spirit of Mageia descended again.

“Redeemers... You have brought Mageia back!”

“We... we have?”

“You have, of course!” the spirit said. “Though the people will rest for seven days until they rise again, Mageia will be as it once was!”

“I see... is that part of the prophecy thing?” Lana asked.

“In a way, yes,” the spirit said. “But now, your task is complete. You have saved us all. Look behind you now...”

Emma turned and saw that, where she once stood, a statue of herself, bound and gagged, stood. An identical statue of Lana stood on the other side of the altar.

“Forever the bound redeemers!” the spirit said.

“Not... exactly the kind of statue I’d pictured but... it’s nice to know it’s here,” Emma said.

“I, for one, am delighted!” Lana said. “We kinda get to be tied up together forever now!”

Emma smiled and hugged her sister, stepping back and leaving an arm draped around her shoulders. “You know what? If it was anybody else, I might complain. But you? I think my statue looks happy it’s you.”

“I think you’re right,” Lana said. “Mine is too!”

“Of course it is. You’re tied up. You’re always happy then.”

“Very true,” Lana said.

“Redeemers, feel free to explore the glorious city before you return home, should you desire it.”

Emma was about to say something when Lana turned to her, a hopeful gleam in her eyes, a wide smile on her face. Emma sighed.

“Okay, fine, we’ll look around...”

“Oh, thanks Emma!” Lana said, throwing her arms around her sister’s shoulders. “Come on! We’ve got to check out everything! I want to see that library, and all the houses, and the amusement quarter...”

“The hell is that?” Emma asked.

“Didn’t you read anything while we’ve been here? It’s the place where people go to have fun! Come on!”

Lana dragged Emma forward by the hand and scampered off down the steps. Despite her feelings on the situation, and wanting to go home, Emma caught herself smiling. Her sister was just too adorable to be angry at. And, after all, they had brought Mageia back, freeing it from the oppressive shadows. There was a lot to smile about.

Lanala and Artema might be a bit worried but, well, they were okay. And they’d get to see their parents soon enough. For now, though, it was another adventure with Lana. She tried thinking of something else she’d rather be doing. She couldn’t.