Chapter One

The world had become almost an Eden after Lucero fell. Humans and Others lived among each other with little conflict, living and working side by side, as nature had intended eons ago. Gone were the cities, pavements, all things of the old world. Swallowed whole by the yawning earthquakes that had rocked the entire planet. The past wiped clean of man's destructive influence.

The earth, no longer smothered beneath the trappings of mankind, had blossomed into a world of exquisite beauty. The once barren, broken planet renewed herself, quickly flourishing into brilliant emerald glory as the forests healed their wounds and the mountains teemed with wildlife, the rivers and streams that snaked through the valleys were once again pure, the waters ran sparkling and sweet. 

Tall green grasses and meadow flowers of golden yellow, violet and poppy red thickly crowded the open fields. To the north lay a forest, dark, silent and foreboding. The trees seemed to stretch their ghostly fingers, tangling in the clothing and hair of any rider who entered its shadows.

 A dark, unnamed terror whispered on the chilling winds, the dark trees glittered with an unholy glow as shafts of transparent moonlight clung to swaying limbs, leaves rustling in the half shadows in warning to any who dared enter the Obsidian Forest. The forest where Lucero fell, defeated. He was cast back into his own dimension, but it seemed as if he had left a pervading essence of his evil behind. Everyone knew that evil lived within.

 To the south lay the settlement that The Source had chosen for the freedom fighters. Nestled snug in a flourishing valley with a wide river sweeping through, the inhabitants, both human and non, farmed and hunted alongside each other. To the East, there was the land of heavy mists that shrouded the valley and beyond.

 It was known as the Valley of Mists, the mountains of the east remained hidden even on the hottest, clearest of days.  The realm of magic, many believed. No one would go near the valley. Stories were told around the fires at night of strange ghostly apparitions and sounds that echoed through the mists.

To the west lay the sea. Before the final battle had finished, earth had fallen into the rising waves of the ocean, swallowing whole states until the tides came to rest in what used to be known as Denver, curving its way down through New Mexico and Texas. Mexico had separated, now its own island. Georgia remained and parts of Tennessee, but the Smoky Mountains barely kept their summits above water. 

The Rocky Mountains remained only where the claw like fissures had not destroyed it. A peace had reined for over 15 years. And for the past three years, those who guarded the Outer Posts returned to the Settlement with dark warnings that an ever-growing band of Lucero’s followers had taken over the Obsidian Forest and been strengthening their magic in their plan to conjure Lucero back to their plane of existence.

 Luna and her daughter, Selene, felt the shifting of magic and it shook them to the core, affecting each much differently. Both were completely aware a powerful unease had moved closer to the Settlement, a pervasive evil darkened the winds, moving ever closer

Chapter Two

Luna moved with surefooted steps up the rocky out cropping. Something was wrong. The birdsong had ceased with a suddenness that left the surrounding forest deadly quiet. 

She froze, her lithe form still, as she scanned the forest below with sharp eyes that probed the darkening shadows. Luna detected a heavy pervasive sense of evil. The dark cloying rage of evil touched her moments before she heard the scream from the deeply shadowed brush below. 

She perched soundlessly near the large boulder that hugged the mountains wall. Luna’s nostrils twitched as the sulfuric odor of rotten eggs wafted up to her, eddying around her crouched form as if embracing her in its vile tendrils. She knew that smell. She cursed, knowing she should never have gotten this close to the Obsidian Forest. She knew it still held the evil of Lucero, who had tainted the forest as he died.

 Luna was strong and fearless. A warrior who had faced down the pure evil of Lucero and won, she reminded herself. An unease enveloped her that she couldn’t shake off. Luna brushed a thick tendril of red-gold hair behind her ear as she cocked her head to hear. Black storm clouds streaked with silver and gunmetal gray roiled across the darkening skies, a deep rumbling spilled from their ladened depths.

 Wind, sharp and cold sent icy needles of driving rain into her exposed flesh. She pulled her cloak tightly around her, re-securing the wide silver clasp of a wolf’s face with ruby eyes at her throat. 

The sounds of something animal like scurrying beneath the outlying brush caught her attention. Movement caught her eyes as they turned to scan the northern forest along the distant range beyond the edge of the settlement, seeking the source of the strangely familiar smell. 

A hatred so ancient, so powerful in its laser like focus, it seemed to burn her flesh. The tiny hairs stood up on the back of her neck, sending chilling awareness down her spine, despite the hot acidic air that now sprang from nowhere.

 Sudden realization engulfed Luna as a glowing red flame caught fire in the tallest bush below her. A sign of Lucero she knew well. This evil held Lucero’s promise as it caressed the wind, and for the first time in over a decade, Luna felt slightly afraid.

The familiar magic that twisted itself throughout the forest below Luna, left her no doubt that Lucero had returned. The very thought of him propelled her into action. She leapt down to the trail below. Her feet made no sound as she landed on the mossy stones and late spring grass. She moved quickly down the trail, her eyes searching through the growing darkness.

 The putrid sweet smell of burning flesh assaulted her now as she attempted to pass the flames. Luna caught her breath in horror, bringing her hand to her mouth to stifle the scream rising in her throat. The corpse at her feet stared up at her, glassy-eyed and empty.

 His flesh red and blackened by the flames that no longer burned. His clothing disturbed her as she saw he wore a long heavy black velvet robe, decorated in thick gold braid and symbols of ancient magic she readily recognized it’s hood, now molded by the intense heat to his scalp. She backed away from it, nausea rising from her belly. 

Luna had seen him within her own settlement the day before. A stranger, she had assumed was just passing through their small tight knit community. Luna had paid him little attention. He was like scores of others who wandered through her settlement on their way to the next settlement hundreds of miles away, mostly drifters. 

Her heart caught in her throat as her blood thickened in fear as a sudden crashing sounded within yards of her position, deep within the shadows of the leafy forest. Luna had to move before whatever remain watching in the woods caught her. The forest was now deathly still.

 She moved fast, running parallel to the forest she had hunted that morning. She sprang across a narrow spring and her feet carried her quickly towards the well-worn trail that led into the settlement. Luna felt as well as heard the hot breath of her pursuer behind her, yet she could see nothing each time she cast a fearful glance behind her as she ran. 

Her leather shoes made no sound as she pursued the trail down the dark shadowy forest she entered nervously. Luna didn’t like being inside the Obsidian Forest with Lucero’s henchmen hot on her trail. She felt vulnerable and afraid- two distinct feeling she hated. To her it was weak and unacceptable, yet she could not control her rising fear.

 She headed for Summit Hill, a woodland area she rarely visited, though it was thick with fresh blueberries during the summer months. It also was the favorite haunt of the grizzly bears that spent their entire summers on the summit. 

The cliff of the summit overlooked the settlement, but the treacherously twisting rocky trail down the mountainside made it dangerous, as it was prone to landslides. Luna would just have to chance it. She crossed an open patch of meadow, as the moon moved out from behind the mountains she had just ran from. 

Shoving back her dark green cloaks hood, she listened hard. Nothing. She cast out with her magic, allowing it to roam the countryside as its soft tendrils touched everything. It was risky, casting with Lucero’s henchmen still nearby, perhaps even watching. She felt weak. She tried to reconnect to the Divine source, but her fear repeatedly severed the link. 

The scent had dissipated somewhat. An overpowering feeling of evil hit her as her magic touched upon something close by. Terror filled her as she shut it down. She had foolishly exposed her position and now whoever pursued her knew exactly where she was. 

She doubted a protection spell would help but she cast it anyways, murmuring the incantation softly as she picked up speed. Panic had caused her reactions to slow, and the pursuers magic was clouding her judgement. Luna’s mind felt like she was in a deep fog, slowing her mental processes down as it seemed to feed on her growing fear. 

The rocky trail had led her to a darkened, shadowy area of the forest and then disappeared. Luna stopped, confused as she peered into the black shadows that surrounded her. Would Miguel be able to find her, she wondered as she moved slowly forward. She did not doubt that he knew. Their binding connection was strong.

 An idea suddenly forced its way through her muddled thoughts- She could pull strength from their connection to clear the mind mist spell her pursuers had thrown on her. She began to pull energy from Miguel, her mind focused on him as she trod softly through the ancient leaves of the past years, her feet soundless as they carried her through the now pitch-black forest.

 She cursed herself for not bringing a horse. She had let Miguel take Moon, her gleaming black Morgan stallion. Moon was as connected to Luna as Miguel was, and their bond was a powerful thing to behold. He knew her thoughts before she spoke them. It was as if they became one when she sat upon his back, their thought in unison. 

Luna began to feel stronger, her mind clearing as she moved on with a steady pace. She had begun to cast an invisible spell around herself when a hand gripped her arm from the shadows on her right. She silenced the scream that rose to her lips as her eyes darted around in terror. A small Dwarf stepped out of the blackness of the low branches of the tree next to her and looked up into her eyes with wide round blue eyes shaded with fear, his thick stubby finger held to his lips in silent warning.

 She recognized him instantly. It was Jinae, the young dwarf who idolized Miguel.  Jinae pulled her quickly behind him, moving fast for one with such short little legs. Luna could not resist the pull that drew her eyes to look behind her as she followed the Dwarf. She saw nothing, but she didn’t expect to- but she was sure they were there, close behind. 

He led her towards a wide tree, its bark dark and rough. Long low hanging branches thick with glistening emerald leaves that parted as if by themselves, revealing an exceedingly small door that Luna forced herself through as she followed Jinae inside. 

They went down a steep flight of stairs that opened into a large underground room. It was beautiful, radiating brightly reflecting gilded furnishings and artwork from the past that she had believed was lost forever when Earth fell, the change leaving the past buried. A warm fire burned welcomingly in the huge stone fireplace, the dancing flames beckoning her closer.

 Luna realized the roof was not made with her in mind and she bent, hunched over to avoid the low beams as she moved towards the fire. Jinae rushed to pull out a rocking chair and gently pushed her into it before wrapping her in a soft warm fleece blanket. 

Murmuring a thank you Luna watched the little Dwarf take the kettle from the hook over the red coals and pour boiling water over a handful of loose leaves, lavender and rose petals in a large ceramic cup. Luna watched him as a hundred questions swirled around in her mind.

 How did he find her? How did he know she needed help? Did he sense the evil too? She opened her mouth to ask those very questions when he turned and handed her the cup.

 “Drink this. I will answer your questions then.” He pulled up a chair of his own and sat facing her, his small face serious as he regarded her affectionately. Deep wrinkles crinkled around bright glowing blue eyes that flaunted long dark curling lashes.

 Arched feathery brows of golden blonde framed the deep set of his remarkable eyes. His face was heavy with a square, strong jaw. The unruly mop of sunny blonde hair fell shaggily over his forehead. Luna wasn’t sure but he had to be a couple of hundred years old.

 “Four hundred and twenty, last week.” Jinae flashed tiny, even white teeth as he grinned at her. 

Luna looked up from her cup at him in surprise. Then she laughed, too. She should have known he could read her thoughts. He continued to smile, as he reached for his own cup. 

“Yes. I sensed you but I felt terror and confusion in your essence. Then I felt Lucero’s evil and I knew.” He said, before taking a long sip of his streaming tea. 

“It can’t be Lucero. I mean, I know he isn’t really dead, but this wasn’t him. It was close but something is different.” Luna said thoughtfully.

He nodded. “Henchmen?”

“I think so. Have you heard of any of Lucero’s followers? I have heard from the Watcher’s at the Outposts that a handful have banded together and want to bring him back.” She looked down at the cup in her hands thoughtfully. “What I felt was otherworldly, evil and coldly vile. Not humans pretending.”

He arched a feathery brow as he took another sip. 

“A Demon, maybe?”

She nodded. “I was on the mountain above the Harigoon Forest Obsidian Forest, and then both forests fell eerily silent. Then I heard a horrible scream from below, and a bush caught on fire… a bright red glow that wasn’t from the flames...” Luna stopped and took a deep breath. “As I ran down the trail, I ran into the burned body of what looked like a priest of Lucero’s, at least the robes he wore were those of his priests.”

Jinae rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he absorbed her words. “They must have thrown a confusion spell to weaken and disorient you. I felt you when you cast the seeking spell, and knew I had to get to you before they did.” He explained, his expression gentle and tinged with worry. “Lucero must still want you as a bride, even after all this time.”

Luna sighed. “I’ve got to get back to the settlement and warn them.” 

“Yes, but wait. They may be out there lying-in wait for you. This place is enchanted and protects all within its walls with undetection. They cannot sense you here, even with Lucero’s magic.” Jinae told her, taking her empty cup to refill it.

“Can the Goddess hear me here?’’

He half turned, throwing a glowing smile at her over his shoulder, as he bent to the fire. “She is goodness and light. All Divine can enter freely here.” 

He straightened, handing her the cup. They both turned as a shimmering golden orb appeared, casting a calm, tranquility accompanied by the scent of fresh roses. The Goddess Diana stepped out of its swirling mists.

Her pale face lit into a warm smile as her eyes fell on Luna. “My child.” Diana extended a slender hand as she pulled her daughter into her embrace. “I felt your need. I came as quickly as I could.”

Luna felt relief wash over her in waves. “You will warn Miguel and my father?”

Diana nodded. “Of course, child. Now, you do realize that the followers of Lucero are rising, banding together in an attempt to return him to this plane?” She asked as she took the seat offered by Jinae.

Luna stared at her mother with dismay, her heart sinking with her words. She sat down abruptly as her legs collapsed beneath her. Yes, she had known, but she had hoped she was wrong.

Diana glanced about the room with an appreciative eye before settling her gaze back on Luna.

“There have been some changes recently, my dear. Since the shift of casting out Lucero’s dimension, it left an opening and another, smaller dimension has taken its place here on this planet. It is my home… at least it was my home. I haven’t been able to spend much time there.”

Luna stared at The Goddess in silence, her mind in a state of confusion that left her speechless.

“It is just beyond the far edge of the Valley of Mists. The portal is open to those whose belong. You, my young Princess belong.”

“Belong?” Luna looked at her mother blankly.

“Yes, belong. You must move the settlement into the valley of Mists for safety. At least for now. The Kingdom is anchored permanently to Earth now. Don’t look so stunned, dear. After all you have seen and done, you are still so naïve…” Diana clucked her tongue with a shake of her golden head.

Luna continued to stare at her in silence. The Goddess sighed in exasperation. “Luna, you will move the settlement into the Kingdom. An envoy will be sent to escort you.” 

Luna shook her head vehemently. “No! we aren’t going anywhere until we stop these upstarts.  Mother, what are you thinking?”

The Goddess looked over the rim of her teacup, her eyes angry. “I want you to get the people who rely on you to safety. You are their leader, Luna. You must think of them first.”

Luna frowned at the Goddess. “I am. What happens in thirty years when they bring Lucero back and the same battle begins again, only it will fall on Selene’s shoulders. No! We stop it now.”

“What of the children? The elderly? Will you have them fight, too?”

Luna stopped and lifted her head. “No, mother. You are right. I must get the old, sickly and the young to safety and then we will try to stop this uprising.”

Goddess Diana nodded her flaxen head. “Agreed. I will send the envoy to escort you. I must go now and warn Miguel and the others of Lucero’s followers.” She bent to brush Luna’s furrowed forehead with a light kiss and stepped back into the rising mist. 

They watched the Goddess disappear as the bright swirling orb blinked out. Luna sat dumb founded, trying to wrap her thoughts around her Mother’s demands, and the dread she felt at the war that must come.

Jinae stood up and tossed another thick log on the fire, glancing sideways at Luna as he did so. He could tell she was unhappy about the orders she had just received.

    Chapter Three

Cold, icy air swept down from the mountainside, rattling the dead crisp leaves that hung with forlorn desperation to the gnarled branches of an ancient tree. A tall, shadowed figure sat still upon horseback, cocking his crowled head as the hallowing cry floated towards him on the stiffening wind. The black stallion beneath him flung his head up, fear gleaming in his rounded eyes as he snorted.

The man felt his heart lurch as fear curled tightly in the pit of his stomach. The wailing cry rose above the now driving winds as the rain began to pelt him mercilessly from the blackened skies that now hung low above them.

He knew the voice that cried out over the mountainside, knew that he was calling him. Lucero. Hair bristled at his nape as his sharp black eyes scanned the darkening forest around them.

The powerful black turned, moving into a swift gallop towards the valley beyond. He didn't wait for the man's prompting; he knew they must get back to the settlement before the storm hit. He was out there waiting for them. 

The Black stretched out into a full run; his movements smooth, graceful as if his hooves barely touched the ground. Leaping fallen trees and low-lying brush as he raced through the gathering darkness, desperate to get his master to safety.

Miguel moved as one with the powerful Morgan as he ran hell for leather, his mind on Luna as the fear he now knew was real, clenched tightly in the pit of his belly. The ever-present connection between them was as strong as ever and he knew she was in danger. 

Miguel shifted his gaze as a black twisting shadow moved into the path directly a head. The Stallion pinned his ears back tight against his head and charged the thing. Both felt the raw evil that flowed from the swirling vortex before them as it gripped them in its deadly hold. 

Miguel threw a protection spell around them, a glowing white light that held them encased in a magical shield. The vile smell of toxic fury and hatred burned rancid in their nostrils as the Stallion charged through the blackness. Miguel held his breath as he concentrated on the spell, putting everything he had into it.

The thing within the twisting black vortex howled in fury as the light pierced the darkness, burning him as surely as the sun. Man, and horse saw the twisted angry creature within, the flesh of his face flaming as Miguel’s power touched him. His red eyes met Miguel’s for a brief moment before the shadow appeared to vaporize and it was gone.

Moon did not slow his pace as he flew with incredible speed across the dark forest, his hooves pounding the soft earth. Miguel let him have his head and kept them safe within his magic.

Miguel strained to see through the darken forest as they moved further into its center. He could sense Luna, just as Moon did, somewhere up ahead. 

 He could feel her confusion, the uncharacteristic fear that raced through her and he desperately wanted to be at her side to protect her. Miguel sent her his strength down link and felt her confusion and fear dissipate. 

Suddenly, there was nothing. The link was severed. Moon came to an abrupt stop, nearly dislodging Miguel in the process.

 Moon looked around at the dark shadows of the forest in confusion, his link had been severed too. Snorting, Moon tossed his great head, his eyes rolling in growing fear.