There was a time that this world has all but forgotten, an age when magic was in abundance, and all realms connected someway somewhere to the one known as Earth. Those days when dragons, gryphons and pegasi shared the skies, when merfolk and selkies swam in plentiful pods, when elves nurtured the land, werepacks roamed freely and fairies made mischief. These days are all but forgotten by the present. This time is no more than a whispered myth to us now. But it was as real as you or I.

I’m sure you must wonder what happened to change our world. Who closed the gates and sealed the magic?

Well, in truth, the answer isn’t all that simple. But the beginning of the end happened when three powerful souls first met. The Warrior who fought against the way of the world. The Seer who wished to change the fate to which he’d been born. And the Mage wondered for life outside the traditions of his tribe.

Did they know they would irreversibly change history? Yes, but if they hadn’t, there would be no world today.

Kerkenstar – Elven Stronghold

“Are you sure about this?” Seer asked Mage as they descended the dark stairway.

Mage looked at him with a smirk. “Doubting me already?”

“No, I... What if she says no?”

“Then she’s surely a fool we can do without.”

“But we can’t do without her.”

Mage paused and took hold of Seer’s hands. “I know you’re nervous, I am too, but if we don’t at least try then we may as well give up the whole idea now.”

Seer sighed and nodded, then they continued down the winding stairs till finally they reached the dungeons. The dungeon master was absent, as usual, so the two were able to walk without hinderance to the cell that held who they’d come to see. Mage slid back the small window in the door to peek inside, and there she was. Sitting alone under the weak light of a lux flower.

When she heard the window opening, Warrior looked up and dangerously narrowed her eyes. Even as bruised as she was, she looked like she could give him a hell of a fight. However, he didn’t hesitate to step back and open the door so he and Seer could step inside the cell.

Warrior was immediately on guard, standing up so the men had no advantage over her. Seer held his hands up in a surrendering manner.

“We’re not here to harm you, we swear.”

Warrior scoffed. “Then what are you here for?”

“Your help,” Mage answered.

“I won’t tell you where they went.”

“If you’re referring to that group of humans you smuggled in, that’s not what we’re here about either.”

“Then what do you want?”

Seer took a moment to brace himself before asking, “Do you know how to find the Gatekeeper?”

Warrior blinked in surprise. “What do you want with him?”

“It’s... It’s difficult to explain, but the fate of all realms depends on finding him.”

Warrior leaned back against the wall. “At least try explaining. It seems like a big deal but I never do anything blindly.”

Seer nodded understandingly. “Well, I had a vision of the end of the world. There is a terrible creature awakening in one of the younger realms, and once it is strong enough, it will devour everything within its own realm, and the connected realms besides. The only way to save everyone is by sealing the creature, and only the Gatekeeper can do such.”

“So, you want me to tell you where the Gatekeeper is.”

“We want you to lead us to him,” Mage clarified. “In exchange, we’ll help you escape from here.”

“And how do I know this isn’t some faye trick?”

“Faye- How dare you.”

Warrior smirked. “Have I struck a nerve?”

Mage glared at her. “We are not linked to those tricksters. Though, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone like you were.”

“Someone like me?”

“Let’s not fight, please,” Seer begged, stepping between the pair. “We don’t have to be enemies.”

Warrior stared at them both consideringly then shrugged. “I’ll work with you. But I won’t give you my name.”

Mage huffed. “Then we won’t give you ours either.”

“We can all go by nicknames then,” Seer decided. “But we should agree to work together.”

Warrior nodded. “A vow then, by the light of our lady.”

Mage nodded as well. “That’s acceptable. By the light of our lady, we vow to help you escape the stronghold.”

“And in return, I vow to take you to the Gatekeeper.”

And with those words, their fates were sealed.