Chapter 117: The Valley of Trials

Victor and Alfonso struggled through the dangerous valley, as each step was a danger on it own. Everywhere, the rugged cliffs rose around them with sharp edges and shadows moving on the over the sky. The air was thick with unease and the sound of distant howls of unseen creatures broke the silence. "We mustn't have followed this trail," Viktor growled, his eyes scanning the surrounding as if expecting something to happen. His tight fist clenched round his sword hilt; the light, flickering light of sorcery sputtered wildly, responding to his darker emotion. "We didn't really have a choice," Alfonso said, standing up and grasping his battle-axe over his shoulder. He paused, wiping sweat from his brow. "The other trails were either impassable or all covered in soldiers. This valley is our only hope to find the spider rose flower and rescue Alpha Lleus." Just as Viktor was going to say something, a guttural roar echoed throughout the valley and sent chills down their spines. "Get ready!" Viktor yelled, drawing his sword as grotesque creatures started to emerge from the shadows. They were nothing they had ever seen. Grotesque creatures with grotesque limbs and bright, red eyes started to lurch towards them. Snarls and snaps echoed through the air. Viktor and Alfonso stood firm as their blades shone in the dim light. Alfonso, out! Viktor yelled over the first that slashed at him. Dark viscous blood splashed his armor, yet he didn't even flinch. Alfonso's axe swung with brutal force and cleaved another beast in half. "Too many of them!" he screamed in a strained voice. Viktor scanned his horizon and could see that Alfonso had been telling the truth. For each beast they felled, two more would appear. Their attacks were merciless, the swipe of their claws slicing through with a sharp deadly precision. "We need a plan!" Alfonso roared while missing a swipe at his head. "We survive!" Viktor shot back with stark simplicity, his sword flashing out to decapitate another beast. Just as hope seemed to wane, a burst of shimmering light illuminated the battlefield. Tiny figures flitted through the air, their wings glistening like fragments of sunlight. "Fairies," Viktor breathed, in a mixture of awe and wonder as the small beings let loose with waves of magical energy against the creatures. The monsters recoiled in the face of the fairies' attack, their guttural roar elevated to shrieks of pain. One by one, they were routed into the dark, until Viktor and Alfonso stood alone amidst the carnage. A fairy of the most stately bearing and with wings as spun gold stepped forward, eyeing them sternly. "You are fortunate we were in the neighborhood," she said melodiously and imperiously. "Thank you," Viktor said, lowering his head. "You saved our lives." The fairy nodded, still wary. "What brings you into the Valley of Trials? Rarely does one venture here out of free will." "We're on a mission," Alfonso explained, his voice firm even as the traces of exhaustion crossed his face. "We need the flower of the spider rose to save our alpha. The fairy's eyes narrowed. 'Spider rose?" She exchanged a glance with her companions. 'Come with us. You'll explain everything to the council." The fairies guided Viktor and Alfonso to a hidden grove, veiled by a web of magic. The air was much warmer here, with trees carrying blossoms that shone softly in the twilight. Here, the village of the fairies was a wonder amidst nature, and their homes blended perfectly into the branches of gigantic trees. Viktor and Alfonso walked farther into the village, surrounded by resentful glances. Whispers carried through the air, as if the fairies' eyes weighed them against all cautionary wonder. An older fairy with silver-winged garb emerged from the crowd. "I am Eldarion. Chief of this fairy council," stated this voice weighted for gravitas and intensity. "What is it that mortals have for our boundaries? Viktor bowed low, then stepped forward. "We have come for the spider rose flower. Our alpha, Lleus, is dying and it is the only thing which can save him." When Eldarion mentioned Lleus's name a wave of fury swept over the gathered fairies. Eldarion's face darkened. "Alpha Lleus," he repeated the words, hatred dripping from the voice. "You expect me to believe you serve the same Lleus who destroyed our realm? "What do you mean?" Alfonso asked, a confused look darting across his face. Eldarion's eyes blazed with anger. "Many years ago, Lleus attacked our realm, claiming it was in the way of his campaign. He left ruin in his wake as he swept through our lands. Many of our family members were killed, and those who remained had to become nomads, exiled from the only homeland we had ever known." Viktor's jaw clenched. "That doesn't sound like the Lleus we know. He was a protector of his people, not a destroyer." "Perhaps you don't know him as well as you think," Eldarion shot back. "He holds the key to restoring our realm, yet he has kept it from us all these years. We will not help you save such a man." The council grumbled in agreement, and Eldarion raised his staff. "Take them to the holding glade," he ordered. Viktor and Alfonso struggled, but the fairies overpowered them with magic. Chains of light bound their wrists, and they were escorted to a secluded area of the village. The holding glade was surrounded by an impenetrable barrier of energy. Viktor and Alfonso were left inside, their weapons confiscated. 'This is madness," Alfonso said, pacing the confined space. 'We're trying to save our alpha, and they're treating us like criminals." Viktor sighed, leaning against the barrier. 'They're blinded by their pain. Lleus must have wronged them deeply for them to react this way." Hours passed, the silence between the two men unbroken as each sat lost in thought. Viktor finally spoke. "We need to find a way to make them see reason. If Lleus truly holds the key to their realm, maybe we can find a way to return it to them." "And if they still refuse to help us?" asked Alfonso. Viktor's eyes narrowed. "Then we will escape. We cannot fail Lleus. His life-and the fate of our kingdom depend on it."