The Island of Thamoray

For thousands of years the inhabitants of Thamoray Island have lived in peace. These inhabitants were called the Moraia; they were not humans, however. Their skin and hair were pale blue and their eyes ranged from shades of blue, indigo, and violet. But the feature that distinguished them from humans was their ability of magic. Magic was what had kept them alive, extended their longevity to up to one thousand years and hidden from humans for thousands of years. Though within the past century, humans began to advance rapidly, and moved closer and closer to the island, breaking free of the magical boundaries. A volcano of humans soon erupted, submerging the Island in a lava of bullets and death. Their instructions were only two: kill the Moraias and burn the trees. At first it was a war; the Moraia fought back, but soon it became a genocide. The Moraia’s weapons were no match for the humans’ bullets. Within just thirty years the population of 100, 000 decreased to just two, Aurelia and Arcadia. This is the story of the LAST.

*** 

Arcadia

A figure atop the mountain waved to me. It was my sister, Aurelia. I smiled; she had kept me going, moving forward no matter how much I wanted to stop.

We were the last two Moraias in existence. There are no others.

Tomorrow marks twenty years since my parents were killed.

By who? You might wonder.

Is it not obvious?

My entire tribe was killed by the most bloodthirsty being on Earth.

Humans.

Humans…

I hear the sound of exploding bullets, but I don’t pay it any attention. The worst possibility did not cross my mind.

I continued collecting berries, Lia’s favorite. As I moved towards her, I sensed something odd in the air. It was quiet...too quiet. 

I smelled a familiar, yet a completely unknown scent - death. But I didn’t realize what was happening until I tripped on a pair of legs…

“LIA!” 

“...dia…” She replied in a faint voice, her strength leaving her with every exhale.

A fresh bullet wound on her leg drained gallons of blood from her body. I knew there was no chance of her surviving, but I wouldn't allow myself to believe it.

“Lia,” I wiped tears from my eyes; I must stay strong for Lia. “We’re Moraias, we know magic, I can save you.”

She shook her head gently and softly replied, “Ever since the humans arrived, we lost our magic. It’s no use Dia...I must go now, I just feel it.”

Her last words exited with her final breath, “dorens quay…” Find them, in the old language. The same words uttered to me by my grandmother, mother, and father, right before their passing. 

I broke down. I managed to stay strong for Lia, after the death of each of my family members, but this was too much. It started to rain and it seemed that the sky was mourning the death of Lia along with me. As raindrops mixed with my tears I came upon a sudden realization.

I was the last. I was all alone.

The last. All Alone.

Last. Alone...

Darkness engulfed me.

*** 

Jareth

“Davidson! Keep up!” General Corbyn ordered. Jareth Davidson, struggled to keep up with the rest. His crippled leg made walking very difficult.

“Yessir.” He recently joined the army. The laws required every twenty year old to participate in the army for five years. This was emphasised even more when the war at the island began. 

Well...it’s not really a war. It’s only a war when both sides fight, right? And the people of the island are peaceful, they don’t want to fight. The army is just killing them. He remembered asking his father when an innocent six year old. All he received was a severe beating. He didn’t understand then, he was only asking a question. Now he knew. The beating was his father’s way of informing him that asking questions was dangerous.

His thoughts about the Moraias haven’t changed. All because of that day, twelve years ago…

He had fallen off a ship. Luckily he was a good swimmer and managed to swim halfway to the shore. The rest was all little snippets. He remembered the shining smile of a blue woman who he supposed was his savior. His crippled leg resulted because of the incident. 

He continued to reminisce. The woman’s blue visage was astonishing at that time. Later in school, he learned about these beings. The Moraias were known for their magic. Although he had never seen it, Jareth knew how powerful it could be. 

Amazingly, just as he was thinking of the Moraia, several locks of blue hair could be seen behind a tree, one of the few trees left. He went closer to investigate.

It was clear that the blue hair belonged to a Moraia. But what surprised him was the fact that the Moraia was alive. Her breath gently stirred the fallen leaves. 

He watched as her eyes began to open.

Arcadia

Two weeks had passed since Lia died. Few tears I have shead, I mostly feel numb. I have lost too many to care any more. I’m just waiting for nature or the humans to claim me.

Food is getting more sacrace; the once beautiful tree covered island is now a barren wasteland. I’m growing weaker even faster now without Lia to support me.

I haven’t slept in days. How could I? But sooner or later sleep overtook me. I suppose I was asleep when I found a soldier staring at me. My first instinct was to call for help but then I realized that there was no one left to save me. Frozen with fear, I manage to look at the soldier. 

He looked very young, twenty years old at least. The more I look at him, the more familiar he seems.

Those brown eyes! I recognize them, but I push them out of my mind. They remind me too much of Lia. 

***

“Hurry up Dia.” Lia runs to the edge of the island. We were fishing. A lump moves towards us. Lia, being the curious one decides to swim closer and see what it is. 

When she returned I saw her holding something. Upon closer inspection I realized that it was a human child. He had pitch black hair, along with large brown eyes.

“What are you doing!” I screeched at her, “That’s a human child. How can you be saving our murderers?”

“Dia, this child is innocent. He hasn’t done anything wrong.”

“But he might,” I said.

“He might not.”

Lia stayed up the entire night, caring for the child, while I watched with disdain. The next morning, when rescue boats came for the child, she watched closely out of sight and made sure he returned home safely.

***

Jareth

The Moraia stayed seated, fear keeping her stationary. Suddenly she leaped up with astounding agility, landing on top of Jareth. She removed all his weaponry and threw them aside. She then bared her teeth and prepared to fight.

Jareth stood bewildered for a while until he finally registered what was happening. 

He was not ordinary.

He spoke to her softly in her tongue. “I won’t hurt you, I swear. I know what your people did for me - they saved my life.”

Her tensed muscles loosened and she slowly began to relax.

She began speaking to him, her voice was rough from not speaking. “It was my sister who saved you.”

“She did?” He spoke with wonder. “Where is she? I have to thank her”

“Dead.” Her blunt answer startled him.

“Dead? I’m - ,” He paused. “I’m so sorry.”

“No thanks to you humans.”

He flinched but ignored her comment. “Are there any Moraias left?” He asked.

“No, there are none left, besides me. You can just get rid of me and win the war. You will be famous all over for killing the last Morais. Go ahead, I’ll be glad if you do.”

“Never! My whole life I’ve regretted the actions of my people and now you’re asking me to do what I resent!”

She didn’t answer.

“DAVIDSON!” Jareth startled at the General’s voice. 

Jareth picked up his scattered weapons and ran to the general.

***

Arcadia

I am starving. My body is slowly disintegrating. I won’t last even for a week if I don’t find food. It has been a few days since I’ve seen the soldier.

I judged him too harshly. Now, looking back I see that he was genuine. I knew he would not kill me.

I slowly edged closer to a fallen tree, hoping there was food nearby. 

There was nothing. Only a few poisonous mushrooms and berries. All I can do is hope that I don’t become desperate enough to eat them.

Grief and starvation are a powerful combination. They can cause one to lose their mind, like I believe is slowly happening to me. Even worse - dying.

Suddenly I spot a black blur, racing towards me. The blur drops something and leaves.

I realize that the blur was the young soldier. He gave me food despite the consequences. Tears of happiness spilled from my eyes. I still have allies!

 ***

Jareth

Jareth carefully stepped toward the tree where he last saw the Moraia. Luckily, she was still there.

“Um...hello.”

She nodded. “Thank you… why did you do it... why did you risk your life...for- for me?”

“I owe your sister, ever since I learned that she saved my life. But she’s not alive. So I must try to keep you alive. I know I’m not much., but...” 

“I see... thank you. Lia would have appreciated it.”

“Your sister’s name was Lia?”

“Oh, no. It was Aurelia. My parents called us Lia and Dia for short.”

“What’s your name then?”

“Arcadia and yours.”

“Jareth Davidson at your service.”

“Davidson!” The general's loud voice could be heard once again.

“I’m coming!” Jareth replied back. He smiled at Arcadia, and surprisingly she returned it. He didn’t know it, but it would be the last time he would see her alive.

***

Arcadia

I haven’t seen Jareth for a while, but I survived on the food he gave me. Yet despite all this, I smelled death again. This time it was my perfume. It was time for me to die.

I smiled. It would be a pleasure to reunite with my family. Yes, there would be no more, but… I suddenly remembered the last words of my family, dorens quay, find them. The words seemed so strange and the meaning, unsolvable. I laughed, it seemed so simple now. How could I have not noticed it? Jareth! Among the bloodthirsty humans, there were good people. There would still be war, but peace makers would help stop it. Now I could rest assured. When I leave this world, there will still be the dorens left.

I could hear footsteps. The men were near. 

***

“Will these Moraias never run out?! Smith! Johnson! Come here, there’s one over here.” I could hear the general’s loud voice echoing through the island. 

The one called Smith raises his gun. Aimed it at me. I gave one last smile. I’m sorry Jareth, I know you wanted me to live, but I must go. 

Thunder stuck twice and left Arcadia, the last, dead.

***

Jareth 

The sound of two gunshots filled the air. He knew what had happened. They had killed Arcadia.

NO, no, this couldn't have happened. I told her that I would protect her.

He rushed to the tree where he had left her.

She was dead.

He shouted into the forest. Mourning Arcadia and weeping about the foolishness of his people. Her death had caused the suppressed feeling of rage to explode and reach its full potential. 

He was interrupted by the gruff voice of the general. “Shut up Davidson! It’s only a Moraia. Anyway, the war is over and you are under arrest.”

***

That concludes this tale of the Island of Thamoray. As for Jareth he was jailed for twenty years, accused of treason. An unknown soldier had seen him aiding Arcadia, and had him reported. After being released from jail he moved to an uninhabited island, forever haunted by humans.