The Highest Plain Ch 16: The King's Worry, The Watchers in the Dark

(The Golden Lands of Xylarion)

King Valendar sat upon his golden throne, fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest as he listened to his son, Kaelen, standing before him. The grand throne room of the Xylarion palace was silent, save for the flickering of the floating crystal lanterns that lined the walls, casting a soft glow upon the silver-marble floors.

Kaelen, dressed in his customary dark blue robes embroidered with silver constellations, shifted uncomfortably as he delivered the report. "Father, we've searched all of the upper plains. We've scoured every city, every skyport, and every border outpost." He took a breath, hesitating. "We still haven't found Faylina."

Valendar's fingers stilled. He exhaled through his nose, his expression unreadable. "Then she is gone," he said, his voice low. "And we both know where she has gone."

The lower world.

Kaelen clenched his jaw. He had known this was the inevitable conclusion, but saying it aloud was different. Even so, he hesitated before speaking again. "Is that really such a terrible thing?"

Valendar turned his sharp gaze to his son, finally taking full notice of the uncertainty written across Kaelen's face. "You don't understand what you're saying," the king said, his voice firm.

Kaelen straightened his posture. "Then help me understand."

Valendar sighed, shifting in his throne. "Aside from the chaos that her mere presence will cause down there—"

"The humans are resilient," Kaelen interjected. "She would never mean to harm them."

The king shot him a look that silenced any further argument. "It is not just about her presence," he said. "It is about what her presence might awaken."

Kaelen frowned. "Awaken?"

Valendar stood from his throne, his long silver cape flowing behind him as he stepped down from the elevated dais. His gaze was distant, heavy with the weight of history. "Do you remember the stories of the great dark beast, Vorlith?"

Kaelen nodded. "Of course. It was sealed away long ago, split into twelve pieces."

"Five of those pieces remain secured within our realm," Valendar continued. "The other seven... were lost. Scattered beyond our reach." His expression darkened. "Some believe they were sent to the lower world."

Kaelen felt a chill crawl up his spine. He had always believed the lost pieces of Vorlith were nothing more than legend—stories to remind their people of the dangers that once plagued both their world and the humans below. But if his father was bringing it up now, that meant...

"You believe the pieces are in the lower world," Kaelen said slowly.

Valendar turned to face him. "It is not mere belief, Kaelen. It is a possibility we cannot afford to ignore. Vorlith's hatred for humans alone was never enough to weaken the seal that binds its pieces. But a Xylarion?" His jaw tightened. "If Faylina's presence stirs those fragments, if they sense her..."

Kaelen swallowed hard. "Then the seal could begin to weaken."

The king nodded gravely. "And without the means to reinforce it, we would have no way to stop it."

Kaelen took a cautious step forward. "Could we not just re-seal it?"

Valendar shook his head. "The original sealing was only possible because of a weapon—a human-forged blade, crafted with power beyond our own."

"The Absolution Blade," Kaelen murmured.

"Yes." Valendar's expression was grim. "A blade that was lost to time."

Kaelen inhaled deeply, his mind racing through the implications. "So if the seal weakens and Vorlith's power begins to rise again... We have no way to stop it."

Valendar's silence was all the answer he needed.

A long pause stretched between them before the king finally spoke. "Kaelen, we cannot take any chances. If Faylina has gone to the lower world, she must be found immediately."

Kaelen bowed his head. "I will personally lead the search."

The king studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Take whatever resources you need." He turned toward one of the crystal control panels embedded in the wall. With a flick of his hand, the symbols glowed, and a soft hum filled the room. "I am authorizing the release of the Skyborne Seekers."

Kaelen lifted an eyebrow. "Seekers?"

Valendar turned back to his son. "They will scour the lower world faster than any of our soldiers could. The humans will not detect them, and they will relay any signs of Faylina's whereabouts."

Kaelen bowed once more, pressing a fist to his chest. "Yes, my king."

Valendar watched as his son strode toward the exit, his shoulders squared with newfound determination.

As the massive doors closed behind Kaelen, Valendar exhaled slowly. He had ruled for centuries. He had seen wars, disasters, and triumphs alike.

But the thought of Vorlith stirring once more...

That was a nightmare he never wanted to see become reality.

***

(Lower Realm)

Night draped the lower realm in a deep, velvety blackness, the moon casting a pale glow over the rolling hills and dense forests. Inside Krelzor's modest home, the flickering firelight painted warm patterns across the wooden walls, its gentle crackling filling the otherwise quiet space.

Faylina sat cross-legged near the hearth, watching the flames dance, their orange and gold hues mesmerizing. Across from her, Krelzor rubbed his hands together, his breath still visible in the cool air.

"Are you cold?" he asked, glancing up at her.

Faylina tilted her head, the question catching her off guard. "My kind don't get cold easily," she replied, but despite that, she scooted a little closer to the fire, letting its warmth brush against her skin. It was... nice.

She continued staring into the fire, lost in thought, not realizing that Krelzor was looking at her. The soft glow of the flames cast shadows along her face, highlighting the smoothness of her features, the contemplative look in her violet eyes. He quickly averted his gaze the moment she glanced his way.

A moment passed before he cleared his throat. "Thanks for your hard work today," he said.

Faylina looked at him, her lips curling into a small smile. "I should be thanking you. Farming is much harder than I thought."

Krelzor chuckled. "You'll get used to it. Though, you probably won't have to for much longer." He hesitated, then leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "You think you'll be leaving soon?"

Faylina sighed, turning back to the fire. The question had been in her mind all day, and she knew there was only one real answer. "My father probably already knows I've gone missing. If I don't return soon, he'll send others to find me." She paused. "It would be best if I went back."

Krelzor didn't say anything, waiting for her to continue.

"But..." She traced small circles into the dirt floor with her finger. "It wouldn't feel right to leave without fixing what I broke. Even if no one here welcomes me after all the destruction I caused... I have to make things right."

Krelzor studied her for a moment. There was a spark in her eyes, the kind of determination he'd seen only in the strongest of people. He smirked, shaking his head.

Faylina raised an eyebrow. "What's so funny?"

He exhaled, leaning back. "You remind me of my mother."

She blinked. "Your mother?"

Krelzor nodded, standing up. "She was strong, like you. Brave, too." He stretched his arms before walking toward the kitchen. Over his shoulder, he added casually, "Even if no one else welcomes you here, I always will."

Faylina's breath caught in her throat. She watched him disappear into the kitchen, his words lingering in the air. A warmth—not from the fire—spread in her chest. She smiled softly, turning back to the flames.

For the first time since arriving in this realm, she didn't feel like she was completely alone.

***

(Outside)

Outside, beyond the reach of the fire's glow, the forest was alive with the whispers of the night. The rustling of leaves. The distant calls of nocturnal creatures. And the hushed breath of two figures hidden among the trees.

A man, cloaked in dark garbs that blended seamlessly with the shadows, peered through a break in the branches, watching the cozy little home. His keen eyes studied the giant woman sitting by the fire, her form relaxed, her guard down.

Beside him, another figure shifted. "Are you sure it's her?" the second man whispered.

The first man didn't take his eyes off the house. "She matches the descriptions," he murmured. "Tall. Unnaturally strong. Not from this world."

The second figure exhaled slowly. "The king will want confirmation."

The first man finally turned, his expression unreadable beneath his hood. "Then let's not waste time." He nodded toward the darkness beyond the trees. "Go. Tell the king... we may have found the monster he's looking for."

With that, the second figure melted into the night, disappearing into the shadows as the first man turned back toward the house, watching. Waiting.