26. the sacrifice

Narrator The chamber was dark and enchanted, which was nothing new to Sasha. She knew of enchanted underground tunnels in the palace which were mostly used as safety bunkers especially during a war. Such chambers were used to hide valuables and those who couldn’t take part in the war, like children and the injured. However, this specific one was new to her. She had never seen it before. Yet, she followed them because this was not the time to ask questions. The place seemed to light up magically as they moved forward, Illuminating the entire place.  But none of that mattered much. What Sasha was most anxious about was to find out what was going on. They ran through a long tunnel until they finally came to a spacious chamber. Tristan led all of them to the hidden chamber where an enchanted purple stone levitated on a stand in the centre of the room. Sasha looked around and noticed that the place was well designed, unlike most underground chambers. The whole place was painted white, however was illuminated with the lilac glow of a mysterious stone. The whole place was still in chaos. The palace was still rumbling and there were little pieces of stone and sand crumbling down all over the place. Sasha was able to keep her feelings at bay because she knew that somehow, her kingdom wins. And the reason was the sacrifice of Lord Tristan.  Her heart pounded in her chest nonetheless. She was anxious beyond imagination. Here, the person she had looked up to the most was right in front of her, and she had a feeling that she was going to witness history in the making. She and her parents followed the trio who showed signs of pure determination and courage. Sasha always knew that her parents were ferocious warriors, but this was the first time she was seeing it for real.  Lord Tristan glanced for a short moment at the young prince and then at the magical stone, which meant a lot to them... No one said anything. Sasha felt as though her heart may leap out of her body at any moment. She was gasping for breath and although it was not very hot, she was sweltering.  They watched as lord Tristan took out a scroll and pointed at it with his forefinger and murmured some words and the words he uttered appeared magically on it. Sasha couldn’t believe her ears. The poem he recited sounded more like a prophecy. A prophecy about a chosen one. Why weren't they taught about it earlier? “Leasim” he finally ended the scroll and sealed it. Sasha was certain he hid it in a secret compartment in the stand before he faced them.  “Do you know why we are here?” he asked. The young prince and his beloved wife shook their heads, however, they looked as if they trusted lord Tristan enough to look confident.  “I have seen a vision. The chosen one will arrive. I cannot say for sure when. We cannot win this war no matter what. If we continue to fight, we will all die.” Lord Tristan sounded urgent.  “But I have the power to delay it for some time and I hope to hold it till the chosen one arrives. Because he is the only one who could defeat the beast and his master. They are after this stone. The stone of power. The one the master of muddled wizards was after. If they manage to get it, it will be the end of everything. The whole world. The harmony that the whole universe is in will be destroyed. We can’t let that happen.”  The rumbling got worse as he spoke and it seemed as if the whole palace might crumble down into tiny pieces. There were pieces of dust and rubble falling as the palace quaked. The once spotless clean chamber was now dusty. “What do you mean father?” the young prince questioned and Sasha’s mouth opened in shock. Her father was Lord Tristan’s son? That could only mean that she is his granddaughter! She looked at her father who had a sad smile on his face but then averted her attention to what was happening right in front of her.  Not now. She told herself. The palace shook once again, making it hard for anyone to think straight. “There isn’t much time to explain.” He replied in urgency. “They are almost here.”  The younger versions of Sasha’s parents were now worried about what was about to happen, however, they looked as if they knew better than to ask questions. Their eyes were still clouded by concern while their lips were sealed from asking anything else.  “I trust both of you with this kingdom, Devlin and Alena. I know that your wedding ceremony was supposed to be tomorrow but I’m sorry. This has to be done. I wish both of you a long and prosperous life. Just promise me one thing.” Lord Tristan was now speaking like a father, rather than the ruler of the prestigious realm.  “Anything father.” Prince Devlin choked on his tears. Sasha glanced deep into his eyes and she felt her heartbreak. Never had she seen him so vulnerable. She had always seen her father powerful. Kind and sweet towards her and her mother, however, stern and unforgiving towards others. Especially the wrongdoers.  “Promise me that you would rule this domain justly and treat all types of creatures fairly. Watch out for the chosen one. You will not realize who it is when you see him, so always be careful about whom you deal with. Keep in mind he may emerge from anywhere.” RUMBLE.... Sasha saw Adam’s apple in lord Tristan’s throat bob up and down as he gulped nervously... “As the years pass, new people will come and go, they may forget who I am to you. But always remember that you are my son. And always make me proud.”  Sasha saw tears roll down the young prince’s cheeks as he nodded, however, he managed to put up a brave face.  “Always father.” He promised. RUMBLE ...... RUMBLE..... RUMBLE... The quakes and rumbles were now so intense, they were certain that the enemy was close by. And they were right. A roar was heard and heavy footsteps were heard. Sasha felt the urge to take refuge from whatever was approaching but her parents held her and comforted her.  “It is ok Sasha. This is just the past. We are safe.” Her mother reassured her.  Sasha’s heart was pounding hysterically, but she nodded nonetheless. Gulping hard, she focused once again on the chaos right in front of her. Lord Tristan had placed the future rulers behind him protectively as the enemies rudely intruded the private chamber of the palace.  Sasha watched wide eyed as the noseless, rotten faced muddled wizard laughed eerily.  “So, the ever-popular, mighty lord Tristan.” He spat. “The undefeated, immortal!” he made a face as he glared with his bulging eyes.  “Vamir.” Lord Tristan glared back at his opponent and hissed with utter hate.  “I am so glad that we will meet again...Tristan.” Vamir scoffed and smirked mockingly. His beast was snarling and growling beside him, with blood dripping from his claws and bloody drool streaming down the corners of his mouth. He kept snapping his razor sharp teeth which were tinted with the crimson red liquid. Sasha cringed at the sight. She certainly didn’t want to find out what that monster had done. The beast was waiting for an order from his master, Vamir.  “I still remember what you had done a hundred years ago Tristan.” Vamir snarled. “You had subjugated my master Abigor. You had him confined and I have no idea how to release him!” Vamir screamed in utter fury.  Lord Tristan smirked.  “Of course. It was fun while it lasted. He and his pathetic followers have no right to steal the stone of power.” He taunted Vamir, who let out an angry growl.  “Oh and I’ll have my fun now, Tristan.” He threatened and raised his sword which was already smeared with scarlet coloured blood. However, lord Tristan only scoffed. “What makes you think I’ll let you have the stone of power when I have successfully defeated Abigor?” he asked, glaring at his enemy.  Vamir started to laugh as if he had already won.  “I think I already have won this round, Tristan. My beast has already eaten up half of your warriors while the rest have fled or are killed by my skilful fighters. I just have to grab that purple stone behind you and then my work is done.” He boasted. “I want to kill you and you're good for nothing successors now, but I won’t. I want you all to see how I rule the entire universe!”  “Oh, I don’t think that is going to happen, Vamir.” Lord Tristan muttered in a low voice and suddenly took his sword and held it with both hands so that the tip was pointing to the heart of the room. He chanted a strange chant, which was alien to Sasha, but whatever it was, the chant was powerful.  The air in the chamber started to swirl around them, lifting the dust and sand in the room.  “s**t! Grab the stone! Quick!” Vamir ordered his beast, but it was too late.  A blinding white light that originated from the tip of the sword engulfed all of them, forcing them to shut their eyes. Sasha buried her face in her father’s chest. She felt her mother hug her from behind. They stayed like that until they felt the chaos die down. Slowly, Sasha opened her. It took them some time to digest what had happened. Sasha looked around and saw that the whole chamber had lost its charm. Gone were the clean and well-done interior. And so was Lord Tristan and the stand along with the stone. They were gone. “No!” Vamir’s protests caught their attention and saw him circling his beast. It was frozen. “No no! I was so close! So close!” he screamed.  The young prince stood up and so did lady Alena. Both of them glared at Vamir, who was lost in his misery. “You! Because of you, my father had to sacrifice himself! I will get you for this!” the young prince angrily shouted. Lady Alena continued to glare at their enemy with fire in her eyes.  “Where is my sword?” Devlin screamed as he frantically searched through the rubble for his sword. He had lost it in the chaos. Vamir, realising that he better leave if he wanted to save himself and his beast to return another time, quickly prepared to leave. He stood beside the frozen form of the monster and faced the young successor.  “This is not over yet Devlin. I will be back and I will find that stupid stone.” Vamir warned and with a snap of his fingers he and his frozen beast was gone, followed by any remaining warriors of the muddled wizards before anything else could happen.