Return to Mageia I: Curse of the BloodlineThe wind. It was all she could hear inside her head. The rushing wind. Followed by whispering shadows. They spoke to her in a language she couldn’t understand and, yet, somehow familiar. Angry, frightened whispers from within and without seemed to curse at her in their strange, oddly recognizable tongue. These dreams hit Emma every night... but still she didn’t know why. Her parents couldn’t answer why. At least, her mother Artema couldn’t. Her mother, Lanala, on the other hand seemed to be holding something back. When Emma awoke, again, with the whispers practically still speaking within her mind, she narrowed her gaze. Her mother would have to tell her, sooner or later. Emma decided on sooner...The young spellsword climbed out of bed and got herself dressed. The old cabin, out in the woods of Ikaatan... that’s where her mothers lived now. Artema had once owned it and had rebuilt the whole thing by hand. Now the two had lived out there for years, raising their daughters, who had since moved out and struck out on their own.Emma still lived with Lana, her sister, and they had long since moved into the city. It would be a long walk to the woods, and the old cabin, but she had to know... Lanala knew something.The caramel skinned young woman dressed up in her usual attire, prepared for any fight she may encounter on the way. A tight, white shirt, low cut and sleeveless a short battle skirt, also white, leather armour padding, fingerless leather gauntlets and strappy, knee high leather sandals. She buckled on her sheathed, gilded sword to her hip and flexed her hand, feeling the magical power there inherited by her mother, Lanala. To go along with her sword skills, trained well by Artema.Inherited from them both, Emma had Lanala’s darker, caramel skin and bright, pretty orange eyes. From Artema, she had long, flowing and wavy locks of purple hair that she let hang loose to just below her shoulders.Leaving her sister to sleep in, Emma headed out into the streets of Disa, starting the long walk to the Dasi Forest, and the rebuilt cabin of her mothers. It was a trek that took her nearly half a day to make but, finally, she arrived by early evening. The first thing she saw, that still brought a warm smile to her face, was Artema’s mighty form, outside, splitting logs. She made it look as effortless as ever.Grey streaks flecked the mighty warrior’s proud purple mane but she looked strong as ever. Slightly wizened, a few wrinkles around the eyes, but there was no mistaking her. She wore white, as always, like her daughter, still wore her own sandals and arm guards, knee length skirt and all. Her arms were as strong as they ever were, still muscular, as were her powerful legs, and she still towered over most any man or woman she came across. The mighty warrior, her battles behind her, could have fooled anyone as she looked ready to destroy an army, if need be, with her impressive physique.Artema smirked as she split one final log and slammed the axe down on the stump with one hand, letting it stick there. She met her daughter part way and ruffled her pretty hair.“Hey, kid,” she said, pulling her grown daughter in to a tight hug. Emma returned the embrace and giggled, flinching and backing away when Artema tossed her hair. “How’s everything?”“Oh, you know... not bad,” Emma said. “Lana got herself caught by some bandits the other day...”Artema shook her head. “Ah, just like her mother... you got her out, I take it?”“Didn’t have to. It was a mistake. They were Brina’s group. Lana didn’t recognize them. Lucky Brina was there or she might have been tied up for a few days... might have taught the girl a lesson, actually.”Artema chuckled. “Now you’re sounding like me...” Still sharp as ever, her intelligent green eyes peered into Emma’s. “You got something on your mind?”“I’m here to talk to mom, actually.”“You already are...” Artema said, with a smirk.“Damn it, you always get me with that...” Emma smiled back.“Language, young lady,” Artema said, patting her daughter on the shoulder. “I’ll go get her. She’s failing to not use magic getting the fire started for the night...”Emma laughed. “She still can’t do it without magic?”“Some things never change, kid. In fact, it’s been long enough. Cue cursing and use of magic in 3... 2...”“Oh to hell with this!” A frustrated voice said from inside, muffled by the walls. They heard a snap, likely Lanala snapping her fingers, and a frustrated groan, before the pretty, aged figure of Lanala stomped out of the cabin and slammed the door.“Fire’s...” she noticed Emma and her mood perked up. “...started. Hi, sweetie!”“Hey, mom,” Emma said, walking to her and wrapping her arms around her shoulders. Lanala returned the hug and kissed her daughter on the cheek.Lanala still wore her usual attire, the cropped, sleeveless shirt, short skirt, tall sandals, all in black, as she always did. Her face was perhaps slightly wizened, and aged, but she retained a much more youthful appearance than Artema. Her strawberry pink hair did have a few grey patches, but nowhere near the large amount of her wife. Emma wondered if that was another thing that had to with Mageia, the place Lanala had told her so little about.“How’s things?” Lanala asked. “Are you eating well? Getting enough sleep? You must have travelled all day to get here. You can spend the night if you-”“Mom,” Emma said with a smile. “I’m okay. I was planning on staying anyway. I don’t plan on staying awake until tomorrow morning.”“Oh well that’s good... sorry,” Lanala said. “Can’t help myself with you girls. I just have to check on you.”“I know, once a mother, always a mother,” Emma replied.“Well, I’ll leave you two for the moment,” Artema said. “Have to make sure you mother didn’t burn the house down...”“Artema, you know I-”Artema smirked and kissed her wife as she walked past. “Still so easy to wind up....”“Oh, my dear, you’re asking for trouble...” Lanala said, a devious smile on her face. Emma scrunched up her face.“Okay... can you two not flirt so much in front of me? Not that it’s not sweet it’s just...”“Oh right...” Artema said. “Yeah, that stuff has a tendency to weird out the kids... I know I hated it when my father flirted with my mother... for a bunch of reasons. Sorry, hun.”“Don’t worry just... kinda weirds me out, you know? You’re my parents...”Artema chuckled. “I get that, yeah... I’ll head inside. You two talk about whatever you need to.”Artema quickly left the two of them behind, and alone, as the sun began to set and the light of the forest quickly began to darken. Lanala looked to Emma, her eyes concerned.“Something wrong?” she asked.“A bit... I’ve been dreaming. Again,” Emma said.“The wind and the whispers?” Lanala asked.“Just like when I was a kid yeah...” Emma trailed off. “Mom... I need answers. You just mentioned Mageia before and that was it. But what about it? You said it’s where you’re from but... what happened? And why can I almost understand what the whispers say? Why do they keep speaking to me? What is it about this place that you’re so afraid-”“Emma,” Lanala said, sternly. “The less you know... the better. You know there is nothing I wouldn’t do to protect you and Lana. I can’t risk...” Lanala took in a sharp breath. “Listen to me. That place... it’s far too dangerous. Even for me and the power I wield. And neither you nor Lana have needed that kind of power. So without it... there’s no telling what could happen. I only keep you in the dark to keep you safe. I know my girls... there is no way you’d leave well enough alone if I told you everything. I suppose that’s my fault... I did pass on quite a bit to you two.”“Then you also must know that I will do everything I can to find out what you’re keeping from me, one way or another. Why not just save the headache?”“Emma... It’s far too dangerous. I don’t know what I’d do if something were to happen to you.”Emma stepped closer to her mother. Her stoic gaze, her strong voice, the intelligence in her green eyes... it reminded Lanala of Artema so much.“So I have to ask... roles reversed, what would you do?”“What?”“I’ve heard stories about you and mom. From the past, all those worlds... I know mom tried to warn you off of things for your protection before. Did that ever stop you before? And what did she say to try and stop you?”“Emma...”“And surely you’ve done the same for mom... did it ever work? Didn’t it just make things worse and more difficult than it had to be?”Lanala sighed. “I should have known better, raising you two with the minds you have... fine. Come inside. I’ll tell you what you need to know. But I don’t want you making any rash decisions once I do... understand?”“Of course, mom. I understand.”“All right. Come on, then. It’s about time we talk about our bloodline...”...No more laughter, no more mirthNo longer the place it once was worthSoft words of wrath follow raging windForever in shadow, a curse to rescindEntrapped souls mired in loss Suspended within the sky’s white flossA silent city waits to be freeFrom mindless rage by the blood’s decreeA pall cast by one aloneBy only her blood can one atoneThe key awaits within a font of thought To unmake what upon the city was wroughtAbove, three suns shall passFrom below it all, shatter the glassOppressive power hanging upon the airFor them all, it falls to the pairWhen darkness reigns and the city is lostNo warmth to be found within the frostSilence no more shall be the normAnd the final freedom shall take formEmma stared at the fire, watching it crackle and spark. Artema was quietly humming in the background while she sharpened a knife in the small kitchen nearby. Lanala stared at her, patient, expectant, and let her daughter digest the words.“So you’ve known all this time...” Emma said, finally.“I have, yes. The ancient verse of the first Mageians. Their scholars never could find meaning in it. But as soon as you girls were born... I knew what it meant,” Lanala said.“And how do you know this verse?” Emma asked.“My mother’s knowledge. Something within this power I wield opened up a world of Mageian knowledge to me. I know much of what she knows. I had a dream where the whispers spoke this verse to me in Mageian... I never forgot it.”“Then you know what that means,” Emma said.“Yes... I do,” Lanala replied.“Lana... me... we have to fulfill it. It’s a prophecy.”Lanala sighed. “Prophecies don’t always have to be true. This can’t be your fate... it’s not fair. You deserve... more. You deserve better than this...”“So you’d just have us stay here and leave this ancient city to rot to the curse? On top of everything else you told me, none of those people deserve to remain as wandering, angry shadows... they deserve better than that. If we sit by... what does that make us? Are we better than the evil Alhanna committed?”Lanala let out a long breath. “Oh you sound so much like your mother when you talk like that...” she said.“Both of them, actually,” Emma said. “There was a time when you thought the same way. Prophecy or not, you would never have let injustice like this stand.”“No... you’re right. I just... I’ve wanted to protect you from that place. But perhaps I’ve been selfish, not letting you girls make the choice for yourselves. And, well, now that I’ve told you all about the place, I can guess what your choice is.”“We go there. We break this curse. And we save the people of Mageia. It’s the right thing to do. It’s the only thing to do.”The pair of them heard Artema chuckle in the background. She emerged into the sitting room, looming large, the fire casting her huge shadow across most of the cabin. “That’s my girl,” she said.“Do you really want them putting themselves in danger, Artema?” Lanala asked.“No. But that never stopped you. Nor did it stop me. I think the best thing to do here is to trust them.”“Or go with them...”Emma shook her head. “You know the verse. It has to be just the two of us. ‘For them all it falls to the pair.’ Like you said. We are that pair. So you can’t come with us or we won’t be able to break the curse.”Lanala sighed. “I know... I wish I could say for sure that this wasn’t a prophecy but, well, the Mageians are where all magic in the worlds originated. All of their predictions, in verse, have been accurate. They predicted my mother’s madness and betrayal, her imprisonment, and the last time I went there, I did find a book that predicted my own coming and... and capture. You remember Artema?”Artema folded her arms and grunted. “With that elf... the bard. Yes, I remember her...” Lanala smirked. “All theses years later and you’re still sore about losing a little sparring match to a woman half your size,” Lanala said.“Back to what’s important here, they’re our girls, Lanala. We know they’ll be all right. You just have to point them in the right direction. They can’t get to Mageia without your help.”Lanala sighed. “Yes... fine.” She snapped her fingers once. “There’s a portal in your old bedroom. Just step through the mirror. I’ll keep it open for when you get back.”“And so you can keep an eye on us...” Emma said.“Well yes... that too. As soon as it gets too dangerous I’m coming through to get you out.”“Mom-”“No, that’s how it is, Emma. I will not allow my girls to come to harm. No matter what.”The dark look in Lanala’s eyes was something Emma had never seen before. Perhaps some part of Alhanna remained within her. The power that tried to take her mind... Lanala was sure to not let it corrupt her daughters, teaching them magic at a young age but severing the link between them and the power with her own power. But something of it remained in Lanala.“What are you saying?” Emma asked.Lanala reached forward and stroked the back of Emma’s hand. “I’m saying your mother and I will do what it takes to get you girls out of there. If we have to. But we’ll trust you, of course. In fact, Artema...”A playful grin played at Lanala’s lips. “I have an idea...” She nodded toward some coils of rope hanging by the door. Artema smiled in return. “I see... have to make sure you don’t jump in and interfere... right?”Emma closed her eyes. “Oh not this again... please...”Her parents laughed. “We’ll wait until you and your sister go through the portal before we do anything,” Artema said.“That means waiting for her to get here,” Emma said. “I’ll have to send her a letter or something...”Artema smirked. “I don’t think you’ll have to do that.”“What are you talking about?”“Emma, you always had trouble with your sister sneaking up on you during your training games... looks like you didn’t grow out of that.”“What!? She followed me!?”“She did. And, just like when you were kids, she wasn’t mindful of traps...”“Wait, don’t tell me... you left her tied up again, didn’t you?” Emma asked.“Artema!” Lanala scolded. “You and your lessons...”Artema chuckled. “She triggered one of your protective traps in the woods just outside the house,” she said. “Don’t worry, I checked on her. She actually didn’t want to be untied when I asked her. I’m not a monster, Lanala.”Emma rolled her eyes. “That girl and being tied up... she never has stopped bugging me to put her in rope.”“Always was her favourite game... I suppose we set a bad example in that way,” Lanala said with a smile. “The number of times she’d find either you or I tied up and enjoying ourselves...”“Or that one time you magicked up to get us both...” Artema said with a satisfied sigh.“Oh yes, that was a funny old time. I suppose we did rub off on her.”Emma sighed. “Well I suppose I’ll go and untie her. Again...” She stood up from her seat. “I still can’t believe she followed me...”“Emma, sweetie, you two have always been attached at the hip,” Lanala said. “Your sister adores you. You two never could let each other wander off alone, don’t forget.”“I suppose I should have seen this coming...” Emma said. “Whatever. I’ll be back with my dumb sister...”“Emma...” Artema scolded. Emma sighed.“All right. Sorry, mom...”“Ease up on the name-calling now...” Artema said. “Another thing you never outgrew.”“Yeah okay fine...”Emma headed outside and into the rather balmy night. The air had not yet started to cool and she scanned the pitch black surroundings and the edges of leaves she could just make out from the barest moonlight able to pierce the canopy above.“Hey, dummy!” Emma called, immediately forgetting her promise to Artema. “Where are you?”“Mmmmpphhh!” A muffled voice answered her back. She wasn’t too far off... Emma started off in the direction and walked around the side of the house and spotted what she expected to see. Her ivory-skinned, pink-haired sister was rolling around on the ground, hogtied in rope, gagged with cloth, and giggling away.“Honestly... I should have expected this would happen. Why didn’t you just tell me you were following...” Emma stopped herself. “You know what? Nevermind. Just... hang on.”Lana giggled sheepishly at her sister’s exasperation. The young woman’s pink hair was kept short in the back, yet thick, reaching the middle of her neck. Curled bangs framed her pretty face, and bright green eyes stared up at her sister, smiling.She wore black, like Lanala, a tight sleeveless shirt with a high collar, a skirt that reached her knees, steel armlets that matched the small, steel chest plate she wore, tall black leather sandals and brown belt with pouches around her slender waist. Much like Artema, and her sister, Lana was athletic and rather muscular, though still quite thin like Lanala. Both women were shorter than their parents, however, just about reaching Lanala’s chin height. Though fully grown, the one thing the sisters didn’t inherit from their parents was their height.Emma bent down to pick up Lana’s all black sword, in its leather sheath, that had been discarded when she was caught by the trap. She pulled it out and assessed the tight hogtie her sister found herself in.Ropes encircled Lana’s ankles, calves, and thighs, and tying her wrists behind her back. Another wrapped her waist and kept her wrists pinned tight to her back. Another coil wrapped her elbows, attached to a chest harness, and the final cord was wrapped from her upper back, through her wrists, wrapped between them, and then to her ankles, pulling it all tightly together. When Emma pulled down the white cloth that had been covering her mouth, she sighed when she saw a ball gag strapped in underneath it.With a heavy sigh, Emma removed the gag and tossed it aside.“Hey, sis...” Lana said with a sheepish grin. “So... here we are again, huh?”“If it weren’t for your magic, I swear.... you’d be near useless,” Emma said.“Hey! That’s not fair!’ Lana said with a smile. “I can fight and stuff! I just, you know... leave more of that to you. You were always better at that stuff.”Emma cut the ropes binding her sister, helping get her free, and pulled her to her feet. She handed Lana her sword again.“Ah, thanks.”Emma let out another long breath. “Just... try not to enjoy yourself so much all the time, okay?”Lana chuckled. “Hey, I can’t help that I like being tied up. You ought to try it more, Em. It’s so relaxing. And cathartic! Not to mention a fun challenge and-”“Look, save the spiel. I’ve heard it about ten million times,” Emma said. “All right fine.... So... about me following you and stuff. Listen, Em, I-”“Don’t bother. You don’t need to explain yourself to me...” Emma sighed. “I’m... I’m glad you’re here, actually. Not only because it saves me a trip. Come inside and let mom explain some things to you.”“Um... which?” Lana asked.Emma chuckled. “Little mom. Big mom will be happy to see you too. Well, again.”Lana smiled at their old nicknames for their parents. “Yeah, she wanted to untie me earlier but, yeah, I was having too much fun. Plus I knew she’d spring the surprise on you... better from her than from me, I figured. At least mom you won’t yell at...” Lana said with a laugh.“Just... come inside. It’s important,” Emma said, heading for the cabin. Lana quickly followed and once, inside, exchanged hugs with her parents and went quiet while Lanala explained everything to Lana as she had to Emma.“So that’s why the dreams keep happening...” Lana said.“Yes, it’s the Mageians and their old verse. It’s reaching out to you...” Lanala said.“At least we can explain them now,” Lana said. “One part of relief... so I’m guessing we have to go there?”“We do,” Emma said. “There’s no other choice here. Either we go and try to save these people or leave them to suffer an eternal torment. That second option isn’t an option.”Artema chuckled again. “Still sounding like me there, girl... proud of you.” She tousled Emma’s pretty purple hair again. “Ack! Mom...” Emma said, smiling.“So that verse mentions a pair. That means us then, right?” Lana asked.“It does, sweetie,” Lanala said. “As much as it pains me... you two have to go alone. You’ll be together, of course. But it’s dangerous... we’ll be standing by to pull you out of there if it gets too dangerous.”“And I have a plan from keeping your mother from... interfering...” Artema said with a smirk.“Oh goddess... gross!” Lana said. “Can you, just, not talk about that stuff you and mom get up to?”Artema chuckled again. “Even as adults, I can still push your buttons.”Emma turned to her sister. “So we need to go then. It’s through the mirror there.” She pointed at the full length mirror in their old shared bedroom, against the wall. It shimmered and moved in waves at the moment, almost like it was made of water.Lanala leapt at each of her children, pulling them into a hug together, kissing them both on top of their heads. “Be safe, girls. I mean it. I’ll come get you if-”“We know, mom,” Emma said. “We’ll be fine.”“I trust you...” Lanala stepped back and let Artema hug and kiss their daughters before they watched them slowly step through the mirror and disappear. For the time being, the four were separate and alone.“Well... I suppose I better get to work then,” Artema said, smiling, and holding up a coil of rope. Lanala, worry still in her eyes, did manage a playful smile. “Oh, I see... then do keep me from interfering with our daughters, my lovely.”“Lovely what?” Artema asked, raising an eyebrow.“Mistress...” Lanala said, softly.“That’s better. Let’s get you comfortable...”While the two occupied themselves, their daughters had stepped through to hostile, unfamiliar world. It was both unknown but... by instinct alone, they seemed to know the place. And now, moving through the portal, the sisters embarked on their task to save the city, and the people, of Mageia. Return to Mageia II: The Shadows' RemorseWrathful 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.