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With a roar of fury, Ulfron launched himself at the walls of the cavern. Rock crumbled to dust beneath his fingers, yet as he scratched the walls, Ulfron knew he could not dig himself out of this.

For half a day, he sat by himself, staring up at the sky far, far above him. If he had his sword, he could have used its Magik to escape. The nighttime moon was just setting, and the sky turned yellow with the reemergence of the sun. Due to the lack of the daytime moon, Faeheim was hit by the full power of the sun. From where he sat, several feet below the surface, Ulfron could still feel the intense heat and radiation.

"Odin, please help us, if you can truly see all," prayed Ulfron. As he scanned the cave once again for anything, anything, that could aid in his escape, he noticed a pair of purple eyes watching him.

"Not purple, indigo," she whispered.

"Why haven't you attacked the castle?" asked Ulfron, "If you can read my mind, why haven't you extracted the light elves' weaknesses and exploited them for your own gain?"

Svanunn replied, "King, I do not need to attack anyone. The sun's burn has already caused chaos. Without the daytime moon to reflect two-thirds of the radiation, the sun has torn holes through our atmosphere, cracked open the ground in desert regions and shriveled the once moist forests. The only thing that can save Faeheim is Yggdrasil. However, we both know the Tree of Life is at its end."

Ulfron cast his eyes down. Shame filled him. This is my fault. I could have saved this world. I promised Thorstein my word as King that I'd cure Yggdrasil, he thought. Svanunn gave a bitter, dry laugh.

"Promises are nothing but a recipe for trouble," she said.

"What do you mean?"

"Say, if a young elf was promised a place in the royal guard, yet before he can join he's brutally injured, would you still allow him to join?"

"Dark elf, do you honestly think that he'd still want to join?"

"It does not matter whether he does or not. He was promised a place."

Nodding in understanding, Ulfron stood up. He bowed in the eyes' direction.

"I see your point. You have a good mind. What was your occupation before your death?" he queried.

"I was a simple barmaid. Made to serve drinks and men," she replied, in a small voice.

"Were you taken advantage of often?"

"King Ulfron of the light elves, is this pity in hear in your voice?" Rather than sounding offended, Svanunn sounded amused. He gave her a small, sad smile.

"As King, it is my duty to make sure all my elves are treated fairly," he said.

The eyes blinked twice, then they were gone. Ulfron sighed and slumped against the wall. He gazed at the ground, feeling extremely melancholy. Whether it was hours, or days, which slowly passed, he wasn't sure.

He looked up at the now daytime sky, forever stretching above so high. A single star I wish to see, to remind me of my quest. For this cave is addling my mind, thought Ulfron.

As the sky darkened once again, Svanunn's eyes appeared in the shadows.

"Good to see you again, dark elf," Ulfron greeted. Her random visits were welcomed, as the feeling of loneliness was made stronger when trapped alone underground.

"Hello, King. Still alive, I see," she drawled.

"The lack of food and water does nought but cause serious discomfort to me. So yes, still alive," he retorted. Svanunn stepped out from the shadows.

"Dance with me," she commanded.

Ulfron was quiet for a moment. Then, "What?"

"Dance with me," Svanunn said again, "The moonlight is a perfect melody for a waltz." Ulfron stared at the she-elf before standing up.

"Very well."

He strode over to her and placed his left hand on her waist.

"Good grip," mused Svanunn, putting her hand his shoulder. He chuckled and gently held her other hand. 

Slowly, gracefully, and in perfect unity, the King and she-elf began waltzing in the dark, dusty abyss. For every step he took, she was there to mirror it. They were parallels in a perpendicular world. 

"This spells disaster," murmured Svanunn, her face only inches away from Ulfron's.

"I promise to conquer any misfortune that befalls you," he replied. She rested her head against his collarbone and sighed into his skin.

"Day after day I've kept you here. Doing nothing but watching. Tonight was the only time I dared to approach you," Svanunn confessed.

"I saw you each time. Those indigo pearls shone out like planets in this dark place," he whispered.

Sighing again, but from frustration, Svanunn pulled herself from Ulfron. She looked him straight in the eye.

"I'll let you go."

Hope and relief filled Ulfron. 

"Close your eyes first."

He did as he was told. Lips that were surprisingly hard met his, and stayed there. How long they kissed, Ulfron wasn't sure, but when he opened his eyes, it was daytime and he was standing next to the tree which bore the crimson flower. Right next to him on the ground, he saw the hole that led to his temporary prison, and his golden blade. Grabbing his sword, Ulfron spun around to face the cave.

The cave resting in front of him was pulsing with Magik that had not been there before. Ulfron was about to enter it when Asi galloped into his path. Asi reared up and tossed back his mane frantically, trying to get Ulfron to turn away. 

"I'm sorry, old friend. I must," Ulfron said, striding confidently past Asi and into the cave. He heard Asi neigh in fear, followed by the fading of hooves, then silence. The sword in his hand let out some light. It was not much but it allowed him to see at least four feet beyond. Ulfron went deeper and deeper into the cave until he reached a hollow dome. Right in the center of the dome, was a small, light blue vial. It rested upon a short pedestal with engravings of the old elven language. 

Those who have touched darkness can never be cleansed into the light. Behold the cure for all things dark. Only one lighter than the light itself can touch the cure, read Ulfron. He shook his head and reached out for the vial. As he got closer, his hand was met by an invisible barrier. Ulfron blinked in surprise then tried again. And again. And again. No matter how fast his hand shot out, or from whichever angle, Ulfron was met with a shield of energy. A frantic wave of despair rose up inside of him and Ulfron gasped.

"Those who have touched darkness," he croaked. Memories of Swanunn played in his mind. 

The King raised his head to the ceiling of the dome and screamed.

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© ObsidianGlowstone / Cleo