Before the Sunrise
Chapter 4: Before the Storm
Previous Chapter Next ChapterLate that night, Darkfall was rudely woken from her sleep. “Sis, wake up. C’mon. Sis.”
“Ugh. Whuzzuh? I wunna sleep, lemme sleep mummy… I mean, what is the meaning of this interruption of my slumb-”
“I found something. In his book.” Solara was standing over the now wide-awake Darkfall.
Darkfall stretched her wings, “I swear, with you for a sister, I may as well give up sleeping and just stay awake the entire night. What is it that is so important that I must be interrupted in this uncustomary time?”
“Look! Here, right in chapter twenty-two!” Solara pulled the large book out and laid it on her sister’s bed with a *whump*.
“It has been ten hours since you last acquired that book, and you have already studied twenty-two chapters of material? Do my ears deceive me? Solara showing the slightest sign of dedication to something?.” Darkfall started reading.
“Not exactly, I just kinda skimmed and skipped all the boring stuff until I found what I wanted! Anyway, you remember that scroll where it said the rules of magick, and how Magicks must be channeled through a unicorn’s horn? And remember how ancient magicks don’t apply to this? Well it turns out there’s a fix for all of our problems!”
“All of YOUR problems, sister dear,” Darkfall was still unhappy from being woken up. “One of the oldest known sources of magic is the Well of Magicka. Just a sip from its waters is enough to completely unlock the potential of any magical or non magical creature. The only creature in history to do so has been granted magick without cost and devoted his life to keeping the well safe from outsiders.”
“We gotta go there! Let’s go find Gold and tell him about it!” Solara jumped off the bed, ready to head for the door.
“Patience, did you even finish reading the section? It goes on to list some dangerous trials to pass-” Solara snatched the book back.
“Three trials are required to grant the favor of the Keeper. These are often performed in groups, as they are exhaustive and companionship helps overcome many mental barriers. Trials have ranged from trivial to life-threatening in difficulty and are picked at random by the Keeper of the well. Upon completion of the three trials, the Keeper will grant any three wishes to the victor(s). These wishes are not restricted to the Rules, and as such can be very dangerous.” Solara smiled. “I’m gonna wish for some water from that well. If it could give the Keeper the ability to grant any wish, it can give me the magic I’ve always wanted! It could give YOU what you’ve always wanted!”
“Well, there is ONE thing I would really like…” Darkfall said, “let’s go find Gold in the morning. He should know more about this.” She nudged the textbook off her bed and set her head down on her pillow.
“You know you won’t be able to sleep til’ I leave the room,” Solara said. “And I’m not leaving anytime soon. C’mon, sis, let’s go now.” There was no response. “Don’t make me harass you.” Solara poked the bundle of sheets that was her sister. “Hey sis, hey sis, hey sis, hey si-” The bundle of sheets exploded outward.
“ENOUGH ALREADY! Let’s go.” Darkfall leered. “You really are insufferable.”
Solara headed for the door. “And besides, this way, you can give him his breakfast early, so there’s no way he can complain!”