The Portal Key
Copyright© 2025 by Duncan7
Chapter 11: Back in Elyria
David recognized the familiar dark tunnel. He pulled a small flashlight from his pocket.
David walked along the tunnel until he emerged in the throne room. He was back in Elyria!
“Finally!” he said aloud. The cold, silent room was empty.
The open door beckoned, so he walked out and descended the stone steps to the ground floor.
In the courtyard, he scanned the area and spotted an álfar archer on the wall. He waved at them.
Soon, the álfar descended, their soft footsteps silent on the stone, and approached.
“I’m back!” David said with a smile.
“I’ll escort you to our village,” replied the álfar with limited English. He gestured toward the main gate, still damaged from the previous explosion.
Together they marched out, crossed the clearing, and entered the forest along the usual trail.
He tried to talk as they walked, but his escort shook their head. Their understanding was limited, so David gave up trying.
At the village, David’s eyes took in the steps, so he ascended them without help from his álfar escort.
Once at the top, he strode towards his home, the one he shared with Calantha and Saria, his escort’s footsteps soft behind.
“David, you’re back!” Calantha’s voice rang out.
“Yes, where’s Saria?”
“By the cliff. Didn’t you see her?”
“No, I came from the castle. I’ll fetch her.”
Calantha spoke to the álfar in the álfar language, then turned to David.
“He’ll go with you. Bring her back soon.”
David and his escort returned to the steps and descended. They marched along a trail towards the cliff. A few times, his guide gestured in a certain direction, showing him the way.
Finally, the cliff came into view in the distance. David quickened his pace, heart pounding.
Then, he saw her sitting on a fallen tree.
“Saria!” he yelled.
Saria stood and looked in his direction. Her face lit up with a huge smile as she recognized her beloved.
They ran into each other in a tight embrace. His escort remained back to give them some privacy.
“I was waiting for your return. I didn’t see you come out of the cliff,” she said.
“The Dark Queen had destroyed my portal key. I had to use hers, which meant I arrived at her castle.”
“Oh, that makes sense.”
“Come, let’s return to the village. I can explain everything there.”
He clasped her hand, and they walked back to the village. His álfar guide followed a few steps behind.
At the village, David and Saria climbed the steps, followed by their escort.
Elion greeted them at the top of the stairs. “Welcome back, David! I heard that you’d returned.”
“Yes. Could you arrange a meeting of the council of elders? I’ll tell you all what happened,” said David.
“Certainly, David. We’ll meet you in the council area.”
David and Saria walked to the council area. Soon the elders arrived and took seats.
David stood and faced the council members.
“Thank you for coming at short notice. I recently returned from my world, and I wish to tell you what happened,” said David.
He continued:
“I led the humans back home via the portal key in the castle. When we arrived, the Dark Queen was waiting to ambush us. She attacked me with a spell from her wand, but I was wearing this amulet.” He pointed to the amulet around his neck. “Her spell rebounded and knocked her unconscious. At that point, Bob took her wand and broke it in half, destroying it.”
Everyone was looking at David, captivated.
“We tied up the Dark Queen and helped the humans to return to their homes. They’ll not be returning here. They’re free of the Dark Queen.”
“That’s good news!” said Elion.