The dark road stretches endlessly before me, whizzing by in a blurry scene. I strain my eyes through the darkness that prevails- mainly trusting Atlas' nocturnal vision to see us through safely. My hands clench the reins so hard that they begin to cramp when I finally loosen my grip.

I start to warm up the further we get from the castle since I'm moving away from the core of coldness, though that comfort's short-lived the closer I draw to the mountain range.

It's like a flash from the not-so-distant past riding toward these mountains. The same nerve-wracking emotions course through me as I make this almost similar voyage, except I'm not as frazzled as I was back then. As odd, and unbelievable, as it sounds, my emotions aren't in as dire disarray as they were the first time I came to Edalirwen.

To think, in just that short amount of time I've changed so much

Unlike the first time, though, when I stopped to scramble up the craggy path up to the peak, I keep riding on, traveling the dicey, narrow path that cuts through the valley of the mountains.

Once I get past these mountains, the biggest worry will be finding the temple (I'm taking it one step at a time). But the most daunting task, for sure, will be going before the Fates with a request- the Fates I've heard mentioned in reverence countless times before; hearing about the Fates and going into their presence to request something are two completely different things, though. It's safe to say I don't know what to expect, but I'm not entirely shaken by the thought either.

Several minutes later, I emerge from the valley and continue on a wider, less hazardous road that will, hopefully, take me right where I need to go.

Just as I'm passing a sign that's too shrouded in shadows for me to read, I hear Atlas growing weary, his breathing becoming labored. Knowing I could accidentally ride him to death, I decide to take a brief break in order for him to collect himself and for me to check out the sign we just passed.

As I suspected, and hoped for, the sign informs me that the nearest town is only a few miles ahead and just a little beyond that is the temple. With the winds in my sails again, I go back to wait on Atlas to gain his second wind.

Once I'm convinced he'll be able to get me the rest of the way to the Temple, I climb on again and we resume our hasty journey.

As the road bounces me along, I can't stop worrying about two things: one, how Xalale is doing and two, what these Fates are actually like. I'm starting to realize, the closer I get, the more acutely aware I become that these Fates have never been made out to be entirely benevolent or malevolent from any of the numerous accounts I've heard, so I don't know what to expect from them.

On the one hand, they must be considerate enough since they allow normal people like myself to approach them with a request (albeit one request per life) and they were the ones to originally destroy and scatter the orb that could devastate their universe. On the other hand, though, they are credited with cursing people with "dark" magic, a title that may ruin someone's life whether it's true or not, and they don't really step in when their universe is in immediate danger. I'm just going to have to cross my fingers that they're in a good, giving mood today.

After passing the rinky-dink, nothing-of-a-town village, that's when my heart begins drumming inside my chest like thunder.

Internally, I'm more than a mess, I'm a disaster running on nothing but chaotic emotions. Externally, though, I remain placid, even as I spot the small, poorly visible sign nailed to a tree that directs me on a footpath leading to the temple.

Dismounting Atlas, I stare at the narrow, dark path with thistle bushes overflowing on both sides. The path has a slight incline but nothing that will leave me breathless, unlike the one at Sagegate.

"I'll be back," I tell Atlas as I tie him to a tree.

There's no time to stare, intimidated by the uncomfortable path, I have to ignore the circumstances and push through to the top.

Like I suspected (it's no surprise really), I'm stuck with more thistles in me than a pin cushion as I hike my way up. I spend some time plucking the annoying, obvious ones off before ascending the rest of the way up the steps to the whitewashed marble temple. Though the moon is hardly glowing tonight, the structure gleams of a milky white hue that almost radiates off it. Oddly enough, it vaguely resembles the ancient Greek and Roman temples with their artfully crafted pillars and material, but this temple presents itself in a different light as well- a more mystical aura.

Slowly, I approach the steps of the building, unsure what will happen if I just try to barge in- not that I can barge in anyway. At the entrance, in the threshold, a fire thrives, preventing my entry. I pause before it, looking for another possible way in or perhaps something that will put it out.

"Well, this is splendid," I murmur looking around for any way in.

"Splendid indeed to see someone on this night," A wispy voice sings out in reply.

Jumping back, my eyes rapidly glance around trying to find the speaker, my heartbeat increasing when I'm unable to. That is until they practically materialize from the wall. Crying out in shock, I keep my distance from the elfin man who wears a cloak the same pattern as the marble. His hood is up, but the blazing fire reveals his face; he appears harmless but after that scare, I don't trust him.

"Why do you approach this sacred place?" He asks.

Recovering from my shock, I straighten myself. "I need to request a favor from the Fates."

"Do you?" His strokes his goatee with a pondering expression.

"Yes, but I can't pass with the fire in the way. Is there a way to put it out?"

"The fire is only in your mind. Put it out and you may approach the Fates."

"Huh?" I give him a baffled face, looking between him and the very real fire.

"The fire," He taps his head. "Is only in your mind."

This must be one of those temples where they drink those hallucinogenic concoctions, like the Oracle at Delphi or something.

"Okay?" I look between him and the fire. "How do I do that?"

"By trusting yourself. You know the fire is not really there but your mind is deceiving you- something minds are very skilled at doing."

Still a bit skeptical about this theory, I approach the fire and place my hand out towards it. Sure enough, it feels like a real fire, it smells like a real fire, and it sounds like a real fire. Honestly, I'm not sure if I should be taking the same acid he has or what but this fire is most definitely real.

"Look," I sigh. "I need to get past this fire so I can get help."

The man wearily shakes his head, "Stop using your mind and trust."

This fire warms my body, its scent clings to me, but if I'm to pass through I need to stop relying on my senses and start trusting what I can't see or understand. I need to do it for Xalale's sake.

"Act, don't think." It's the theme of my day and I need to follow through with it.

So, without hesitation, without even shutting my eyes, I take a few steps back then run full speed through the opening, jumping as far and high as I can to avoid the licking flames.

"Oof!"

I land on the cold, marble floors, cushioning my fall with my arm.

Getting to my feet, I look back at the doorway I just flung myself through and gasp.

Sure enough, the entrance remains clear with no signs of the fire that once was. Awe-struck, I even pause to inspect it a bit more but it's simply a regular entryway- as though it's been all along.

"Freaky factor rising."

Refocusing on the task at hand, I continue on from the dimly lit antechamber I fell into onto the threshold of the next room. My progress is halted once again, but this time by a glowing light levitating in the center; it pulses blue and purple, about the size of a baseball, simply floating in the way. Behind it is a thick, velvet black curtain that resembles an infinite void.

"There must be a thing about objects and obstacles blocking entryways here."

Though my first instinct is to push past it, I'm stopped when it pulses to a dark blue color and a shrill voice originates from it.

"Murderer? Yay or nay?"

"Huh?" I must look like an idiot every time I question what's happening.

It repeats itself like it understood me- as if it were sentient.

"Murderer? Yay or nay?"

I blink, "Nay."

For a second, like a camera flash, it turns from dark blue to light purple to white then back to dark blue in an instant.

"A pure soul? Yay or nay?"

"Uh, yay."

It flashes again.

"Cursed? Yay or nay?"

"Nay."

It feels a little unusual talking to a glowing ball of light that asks me yes or no questions, but I've seen weirder (right?). I'm just thinking I've should have taken something before I got here- maybe then it would make sense.

"Enter."

The sphere dissolves into the air, its high-pitched voice echoing its final words as the path lays before me. It's an empty, uncertain path, but I can't turn back now, not with a solution so close. So, taking a preparatory breath, I plunge into the thick, suffocating darkness that practically swallows me whole.

Panting- mainly just to hear myself- I look around, trying to see something that will light my way. Even from behind, the way I came, all that can be seen is darkness.

Without warning, the room lights up around me.

I can only describe it- to the best of my abilities- as though I were standing in the center of a nebula. Stars surround me yet appear just out of reach in this drifting wormhole. Speechless, I stare at the twinkling lights that beam upon me. Glancing to either side of me, I realize that I'm being reflected as if I'm standing in a mirror tunnel. Just the swirling wonders make my head spin- this is probably the closest I'll be to going to space, but it's breathtaking in every regard.

My awestruck observations are jarringly interrupted by an ethereal voice that radiates around me.

"Speak your peace."

It pierces the soul as if the voice is not truly playing upon my sense of hearing but rather speaking inside me.

Clearing my voice, though it still falls flat in comparison, I speak, "I have a request to ask you."

"Speak."

This time, it sounded like a different speaker that originated from behind me, yet it still possesses the same unearthly, airy voice.

Whirling around as though I could possibly face the disembodied voice, I'm met with the same sight of the pulsing universe and my infinite reflections construed like a kaleidoscope along the living walls.

"Focus." I scold myself.

"I need to save someone's life. They're hurt and the bleeding won't stop and if it's left untreated he could bleed to death. Can you help me?"

Around me, the whispers begin.

It would almost be eerie if it weren't for the galactic tunnel that results in more wonder than fear. Still, it's somewhat perplexing, especially as they whisper in a hushed voices all around me like spirits. My mind still goes to uncertainty I have of whether these Fates are benevolent or malevolent.

The whispers abruptly cease and a voice, very different from the first and second one, speaks out; it's as rough as the raw edges of a precious stone.

"Many things we ought to do but countless opportunities come and go. Why should our hand be extended to you?"

Since I wasn't expecting that question to come up, I blank for a moment.

"Because...because the situation is extremely serious- he could die."

The whispers ripple like a wave through the tunnel until one voice, that sounds like it could belong to a young child, calls out-

"Approach us."

Glancing side to side, I'm not really sure which end would lead to them so I'm a little stumped. As if understanding my dilemma, a shining light appears at one end.

"Come hither."

So, I begin ascending up the tunnel, heading straight toward the light. I don't have a clue what to expect once I reach it but my determination- mixed with my curiosity- drives me onward, that is until an impending voice booms out-

"Halt!"

I obey with a jolt of surprise.

"Who is this individual for whom you seek this cure?" A more mild manner voice asks.

"His name is Xalale."

"Who are you?"

"My name is Mallory. Mallory Ryders."

Whispers scatter then die.

A meek voice speaks next, "Continue."

I listen then start back up toward the light at the end of the tunnel until I'm commanded to stop again. Everytime they speak, my muscles feel like they tense up to the point of snapping.

"Why should his life be spared?"

This was like having a pop quiz that's structured like an interview.

"Because he's worth saving."

"Why is his life of importance to you?"

I note the subtle shift in wording but don't falter.

"Because I don't think anyone should have to die in such a way."

"Continue."

Marching on again, the light has grown closer. It's odd because the closer I get, the more I can feel the unusual temperature of the star- it's cool and warm at the same time.

Just as I'm several steps away from crossing into the heavenly light, I'm told to stop once more.

"Answer with integrity," A toneless voice says. "What are your faults and strengths?"

"Damn, this is harder than doing a pop quiz disguised as an interview."

"Well," I stare up in thought at the ceiling. "I'm not very high on luck- but I think that's more a natural flaw. I'm a screw-up, I can make a mess but I can't clean it up. I'm a little...vain. I sometimes get caught up in my own dreams and my own ambitions that I miss when others need help. I'm also not that good at making or keeping friends."

The list of my failures and faults could go on forever but I manage to stop myself as I strain to think about what could possibly be my strengths.

"Those are my faults," I'm stupefied. "I honestly can't think of any strengths right now."

The whispers erupt again, this time louder, carrying more of an argumentative tone to it. Eventually, they cease and one lone voice calls out to me.

"You may come into our presence."

"Really?" My head shoots up in surprise as I look into the white light. "Even after hearing everything they still want to see me? Probably to see what a failure looks like in the flesh."

Taking a breath, I close my eyes as I take a trusting step into the light that bathes my skin. Seconds later, I open my eyes.

I now stand in a smaller room with nothing but a stout, cobblestone pillar in the center of the room. The walls here are dark with no light in them at all, nothing like the living galaxy tapestry in the tunnel, but that quickly changes.

When one of the voices speaks up, it's like an explosion of breathing, living color along the circular walls that encompass me. It was as though I stood in the midst of the aurora borealis- the seafoam green waves tinged with an outline of magenta and a majestic purple. It illuminated my face with splashes of colors.

"You have passed through our tests and questions, now we will properly consider your request."

"Thank you."

Some questions floated around in my head about who they are and what they would do to fix my problem- if anything- but I didn't want to anger them by questioning them as though they were coming to me for assistance.

"The man whose life you wish to preserve is a murderer, know you that?"

I swallow, crossing my fingers this doesn't affect if they'll help him.

"Yes, I am aware. But he doesn't do that stuff anymore."

The first voice that spoke to me in the tunnel speaks to me now.

"For the slain give no justice but for the murderer give grace?"

"No," My answer resounds. "Give him mercy."

The voices murmur once more, but I do a risky move and interrupt them.

"I know he doesn't seem like he deserves any more chances in life, but...he's different."

The stentorian voice takes charge. "Those innocents ne'er received chances from him. An eye for an eye."

That was the chant that rippled amongst them like a foreboding choir.

An eye for an eye. I suddenly realize this might be a losing cause, but I couldn't allow it- I was not leaving without help, I couldn't.

"An eye for an eye and the whole world goes blind," I speak over them. (I can swear that's a quote by a famous person- or close to it- but I'd have better luck guessing lotto numbers than figuring out who said it).

They simmer down again at my words.

The child-like voice starts, "How long have you know this man?"

"I don't know for sure. Three, maybe four weeks?"

"What do you see in him?"

"His goodness. He's thoughtful and strong-willed and attentive and, I know it doesn't look like it, but he is compassionate."

I sigh.

"Screw it," They might be the ones who can control my fate and every detail of this universe, but I need to get real with them. "They said be honest, I'm going to be honest."

"All those faults I just listed a minute ago? They're true to the core- every last one. I don't have a talent that I know of yet, I can be self-centered at times, I've been awful to some people in my life, that's just the truth. You ask me why his life should be spared, it should be spared because he's got something- something I could only begin to dream about having.

"You may label him as a cursed, unworthy cause but he's so much more. His darkness is what saved this universe when it was on the brink of destruction- twice. He makes stupid decisions sometimes, I know, firsthand, but you have to see the way he is with others when he's shown kindness and treated like he's something other than a cursed tyrant.

"His life is important to me because he's, in many regards, a much better person than me. He has his flaws but he has so much goodness to him that it would be a great loss- to me, if nothing else- if I let him slip away."

When no voices murmur or whisper amongst themselves, it's slightly concerning but I don't regret a word of what I've said- I stand by it 100 percent.

Without preamble, one of the voices breaks the silence.

"You claim not to know of your gift, yet it shines through so brilliantly."

I respond, puzzled. "What do you mean? Will you help me?"

"You house light in your eyes; you see other's souls with hope."

I don't fully understand what they're getting at about my supposed talent, but for once, I could care less what has to be said about me, it's not about me.

"Can you help me?" I ask, my nerves in turmoil. "Please."

For a heartbeat, the room stills- I feel no presence but my own- then suddenly, with a surge of life, the walls begin whirling around as though I'm standing in the midst of a hurricane of ether lights. Colors morph before my eyes, transforming from one hue to the next until the very life seems to be sucked dry from the wall.

I watch as the living color is drawn from the walls into the ceiling then finally manifesting like a waterfall on the pillar in the center. When the color disperses, all that remains, poised on the pillar, is a lone flower.

The flower is the most mystifying, unique flower I have ever laid eyes one- it is something solely of this world.

Hesitantly, I approach it.

At first glance, it fools the eye into believing it's a rose, but upon closer inspection, I can clearly see it's a peony, but it's not like any peony I've ever seen. An entire universe lives on just one petal of this flower. Like the tunnel outside, this flower is as a living body of space. Unlike usual illusions, this scene is entirely true.

"Receive it."

I straighten up. "What?"

"Receive what is yours."

"This flower is the answer to my request?" I'm bemused as I pluck it from the pillar.

Holding it in my hand, I notice the golden, shimmery center of the flower and the pleasing aroma wafting from it- it's a light, spring-like scent.

"Thank you," I say trying to be polite as I continue to inspect and admire it. "It's beautiful but...how do I use it?"

"Crush it in your grasp," A voice shrills out.

Another voice adds on to that. "Over the individual-"

"-crush it and sprinkle its ashes-"

"-over the one you wish to save."

Staring at it with new reverence, and hope, I handle it like the fragile flower it is and turn to go- my excitement over an answered request bubbling over.

"Thank you."

I don't know where to look or even what definitive deity (or deities) I'm addressing but I know I need to express my overwhelming gratitude in some small way.

"You'll never fully know how much this means to me."

"There is one thing you must know before you return to your injured's side." A hoarse voice croaks.

Slightly troubled, I try not to reveal hesitation.

"What's that?"

"A price."

"There it is, the salesman's catch."

Dread starts to creep over me as I prepare myself for the tradeoff they're about to ask of me. But I'm willing to pay any price for Xalale's life, so I ask-

"What's the price?"

The childlike voice rings out clear yet feeble.

"To Edalirwen will you return no more, except the first of your seed whose battle it will become."

I only understood the part about me not return to Edalirwen again, but I'm lost on the second part. First of my seed? Battle? It doesn't seem to be a steep price, especially all things considered, so I nod.

"Then it's a deal."

At last, the voices merge as one and speak-

"Go, be swift."

It was an encouraging spur onward back to the castle. My time is still winding down so I need to move fast, but with this flower in my favor, I know the odds are looking up.

Without further delay, I'm racing back down the tunnel out into the dim lit room, out into the night- which is starting to lighten with the approach of dawn- and mount Atlas, all while keeping the life-saving flower tucked close to me; I can't let one petal go to waste.

"Let's go, and be quick," I instruct Atlas, who should be rested enough to dash back before the sun starts to show hints of gracing the sky.

As though absorbing my newfound hope, Atlas sprints off back to the castle at a seemingly quicker speed than before.

The night isn't looking so dark anymore, and with this flower, hope has begun to bloom once again.