High up in the mountains to the West, the small kingdom of Brindor is tucked away. For Vivian Ràed, this is her life. Vivian lives on the tallest peak with her mother Violette, the kingdom's Seer. Her visions are gifted from Mihaela herself, though Vivian's visions are far more detailed and accurate (not that many people are privvy to this information save for a few trusted allies).

That morning, Vivian had been doing her daily chores around the temple that was her and Violette's home when she was slammed with a vision; a terrible vision that caused her to black out for several minutes afterwards. Violette, upon finding her daughter splayed out across the stone floor of the temple was beside herself with worry. She helped her daughter come around with a mix of burning herbs, and was horrified by the vision which Vivian spoke of after she had awoken. The young Elven-Angel hybrid hurried to tell Daevina, entrusting the information to her in hopes that the Dragonkin told anyone whom the vision pertained to.

Currently, Vivian sat stop a rock formation a few metres from the entrance of the temple, watching as smoke arose from the bonfire happening in the middle of the kingdom. This wasn't unusual. In the last week of Summer, there would always be a bonfire burning of which the residents of Brindor would throw their prayers written on parchment into, as well as other various messages of gratitude to the Goddess Mihaela. No one truly knows if the Goddess receives all the prayers and messages, however, occasionally some prayers are answered. 

Vivian smiles at the thought; her own prayer was answered well over 100 years ago (though, Vivian is still young at only 184 years of age). She wanted so badly to look like who she felt in the inside, and Mihaela answered her prayer. If there was still one thing she still wished for, it was for a bigger chest, but she didn't allow that to bother her too much.

What was bothering her constantly during the day was the vision she had that morning. It haunted her like a waking nightmare and replayed over and over in her head with no signs of leaving her any time soon.

As a distraction from the dark vision, she thought 'I wonder...will I grow wings like my father?'

Being an Elf-Angel hybrid, she was shorter than most Elves, only standing at 6'1 and the average being between 6'5 and 6'7, however she had inherited the unnatural glow to her skin that Angels had, and had the flawlessness and grace of Elves. Vivian carried herself as a strong womanly figure, although she was quite insecure and shy. For the most part, she felt extremely cut off from her people, even her own kind.

This was one of the many reasons she chose to travel around so much, never staying in Brindor for more than a week at a time. As it was, Elves were natural travelers, though none had travelled as far or had known as much as Vivian did. One of the only things the young hybrid was secure in was her vast knowledge. From multiple sources, she knew of the world as both Osoa and Arraila, as well as many myths and legends and people of its history. Vivian was praised and known for her knowledge, though most tended to avoid having a conversation with her as she was viewed as far wiser than anyone in Brindor.

Quite suddenly, she was ripped away from those thoughts by a powerful boom of thunder coming from the North. Vivian turned her head, her brows furrowed. A wild storm raged over Laanfier, a sight that hadn't been seen since before the War of the Fallen. Vivian's heart sank; she knew for certain that this was a bad omen. Once again, the vision invaded her mind; a splash of red hair and penetrating black eyes, the kingdom's painted with blood, a lifeless body and feathered wings. 

She figured, with a pang of fear, that the Crows would have something to do with this next war, and that Alana would be the one to lead a group into the dead land known as Alekro, and she also knew that one would not make it out alive. Vivian decides then that she alone should be the one to tell Alana of this vision. 

And so, with her mind made up, she writes a quick letter to Alana, sending her fastest bird. As well as that, she writes a note to her mother explaining the situation, and to prepare Brindor for the incoming darkness. 

This was only the beginning..

                                    :::

It was mere moments before the ground in Laanfier was wet and sticky with mud, and Alana rushed towards the castle as the rain poured still, her boots soiled with the black mud, her long red hair darkened as it was soaked with the rain, and stuck to her clothes like glue. Her blue eyes were narrowed as she raced towards the high black stone castle, with her only thought being to consult her parents. 

Alana's heart pounded against her chest; rain in Laanfier was far from a good sign, even as she knew it would help crops grow throughout Winter, but she also knew this was only the eerie calm before the frightening whirlwind.

After a few short minutes of running flat out, Alana burst through the tall double doors, and was hastily greeted by the guards on the other side as she stormed toward the throne room. Her expression was one of fear; an expression she hadn't worn on her face in over 500 years, and so, as soon as Alana locked eyes onto her father, the princess very nearly collapsed onto him, but managed to keep herself upright. 

"Where is my mother?" Alana asks, glancing around. 

"She went to aid the healers with the wounded. What is the matter my child? You look fearful" Alonzo has worry painted all over his face, his head racing with 'what if' thoughts.

"I'm not injured, if that is what you're worried about father. We should all be worried about what this recent attack could mean. I fear that this could be the beginning of something terrible" Alana says all in one breath, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

"Yes, I can feel it too" Alonzo agreed, "but you need to calm yourself dear daughter"

"I cannot be calm in times like this! I need to keep up the appearance of a strong future queen that doesn't want to collapse into a broken heap any time she witnesses the death of her people!" She exclaims.

Alonzo merely blinks at his daughter, his heart breaking. She was stronger than she gave herself credit for.

Alana sighed, bowing her head, and only then does she see the letter that her father holds in his hand. She asks what it is, and he father simply answers that it is a letter addressed to Alana. Alana carefully takes the letter from Alonzo, being careful not to rip the envelope. 

She reads it aloud, her face twisted into a frown of concentration.

"'Dear Alana Flare, you do not know me, but I know a lot about you. My name is Vivian Ràed, the daughter of Violette Ràed. I write to you to tell you that I am travelling to Laanfier now, and will arrive there in two days time. I have foreseen a terrible danger, and I decided to tell you the contents of my vision in person. Please await my arrival'" Alana finished, raising her head, "I knew Violette had a child, though I could have sworn it was a boy she'd had. Then again, that was nearly 200 years ago now..." 

"Elves are secretive by nature, and Brindor is an extremely secretive kingdom. Although, it does seem they enjoy prying into other people's histories" Alonzo hummed.

Alana nodded in agreement, her frown deepening. She could have sworn people were congratulating Violette on having a baby boy, not a baby girl. As she opened her mouth to ask her father, they both turned their attention to the entrance of the throne room upon sensing someone there. Alana half expected it to be her mother, but it wasn't. 

There stood Chase, dripping rain water all over the carpet, and yet no one seemed to mind. Chase's clothes were stuck close to his body, but he didn't shiver. 

"Micah has fallen into a coma. The healers just now confirmed it. Freddie is devastated, and the healers have no clue whether Micah will wake up or not" Chase explained.

Alana's heart lurched painfully. "Where is Freddie now?"

"He ran off, and told me not to follow" Chase said.

Alana glared at Chase, her anger rising quickly. "YOU IDIOT!"

Chase winced as Alana went on. "You and I both know how unstable he can get when he's upset! You fucking fool of a War Wolf! Find him, immediately! He cannot remain alone!"

"Of course" Chase nodded, and with that, Chase leaves the throne room, leaving black muddy footprints in his wake. 

The War Wolf stepped back out into the rain and ran, heading toward the Blackoak Forest. Though the rain made it impossible for Chase to catch Freddie's scent, he knew the Vampire well enough to know where Freddie would disappear to.

Deep within the Blackoak Forest a tall stone plaque stood, and carved into it were the many names of those who had lost their lives in the War of the Fallen. All the kingdom's had one, but Laanfier's was taller as they had lost the most lives. The name carved at the very top was Marcus Flare, Alana's little brother who unfortunately lost his life in that war. 

Marcus was 12, the same age as Micah is currently, and Chase had a gut feeling that Freddie would be at that plaque. 

Chase's gut feeling ultimately turned out to be correct, as he found Freddie standing there staring up at Marcus Flare's name.

"I told you not to follow me" Freddie's tone was strained as the Vampire tried desperately not to cry. 

"Alana was angry that I hadn't followed after you, and she told me to find you. Her and I know how unstable you become when you're in this kind of state" Chase said, not unkindly.

Those had been the wrong words to say, however, as Freddie whirled around to face the War Wolf with a hard look. 

"I do not need protection from myself Chase. I am not unstable now, am I? I do not need to be watched like a lowly fucking criminal that will turn and snap at any given moment" Freddie spat out, his breathing harsh and heavy.

Chase stayed silent, and suddenly remembered a time that wasn't that long ago when the Vampire was found right where he currently stood, bleeding out from a self inflicted wound. Chase also watched as Freddie's expression turned from anger to heart shattering sorrow. 

Freddie whimpers pathetically, collapsing onto his knees, "I...I know he isn't dead, but I pray to Mihaela that Micah does not become one of the many to die at the hands of those foul Fallen creatures"

With his heart pounding painfully against his chest, Chase slowly walks over to Freddie, kneeling in front of the younger. 

"I know that you do not want Micah to die as Marcus had, but if I know of one thing, it's that he will not die like that baby Vamp" Chase's tone was soft, almost loving. 

Freddie did not know of Chase's feelings for him, but in that moment, he could definitely tell the War Wolf viewed him as more than a friend. Freddie chose not to comment on it, however, as instead he stayed kneeling in the mud with Chase in front of him, Freddie's hands reaching out to grip tightly at the front of Chase's drenched shirt.

The Vampire sent out a silent prayer, hoping that Mihaela would hear it and answer it. He could not bear it if Micah died. He refused to even think that there was a possibility of that even happening, but, at the pack of his mind, he knew it could…