LILY OF DUSKHAVEN

LILY OF DUSKHAVEN

It was the fresh start of the year. Lily was sitting on the wall of her bedroom window writing goals of the year. A drop of water fells on the diary paper written “GOAL 7:- Find real parents” making the paper wet and the ink spread. More tears started rolling down her eyes. She closed her diary and folds her legs looking at the white flowers bloomed in the garden.
“Lily! Come down! The dinner is ready!” Screams her grandmother.
“Yes coming!” Lily replies wiping her tears and rushes downstairs.
“What happened? Why are you looking so tired?” asked her grandmother.
“Grandma Can I ask you something?”
“Are you still thinking about the freaking talks of that man?” Replies the old lady aggressively “Just focus on your work! All those things are useless!”
“But grandma please try to understand I want to know who my real parents are. How long are you going to hide the truth?” said Lily in a high voice “And what about the letters in that locker which you are hiding from me?” by saying this she gets up from the table leaving her food incomplete and went to her room upstairs.

Lily was a high school student. She was 18 years old. She used to live with her old grandmother since she was 8 years old. Her father passed away in a car accident when she was 5 and her mother mysteriously disappeared just after 3 years. They tried their best of finding her, but nothing worked. Lily was not able to recall any memory of her childhood. She didn’t even remembers her father’s face. She has a faded memory of her mother in her mind. Moreover they didn’t had any photos or videos nor of her childhood neither of her parents. From then her grandparents meant everything to her. Her grandfather died of heart attack 4 years ago and now she is alone with her grandmother. Dorian Vex was her best friend since childhood. They were neighbors and even class mates. But he too shifted Cambridge 3 years ago, making Lily lonely. She had a few friends.

Two weeks ago before in the last days of December a man named Evander Hollow visited their house. He claimed that he was an old friend of Lily’s father. When he came Lily was alone at home.

Two weeks ago…
“Hello! I am Evander Hollow. You are Lily, Lily Bard. Right?”
“Yes! But how do you know me? I haven’t seen you before.”
“I’m an old friend of your father. I last saw you at your father’s funeral. You was too small back then” He replied looking on the floor. “Well I’m here to talk to you!” he lifted his neck up and said looking at Lily.
“To me?”
“Yes!” He replied sipping the water from the glass.
“Do you know that who your real parents were?” He asked
“R-Real parents? What are you talking about? They were Griffin and Trixie Bard.” Replied Lily stammering.
“No you are wrong! Griffin, my friend, nor was your real dad neither was Trixie your real mother!” He exclaimed. “I’m here to talk to you about this only. ‘The Truth!’”
“I don’t know what are you talking about? Are you serious?” said Lily shockingly
“I’m damn serious child! See, you are like my daughter. Now listen to me carefully with your heart in your hands.” He said loudly “Trixie and Griffin were not your real parents. Your real parents live in Duskhaven in New York. You will not find this city on the map. It’s a hidden city or it would be better if I say a hidden state. You are not an ordinary child. Your parents are Darius and Elmira Dusklyn… they are alive! Darius was the minister of Duskhaven. Duskhaven was literally a heaven! Even I was a citizen of it. But the conditions changed. Zorrac… a black magic wizard killed the king and queen of Duskhaven. He turned the heaven into hell! The Duskhaven that once was a beautiful bright state turned to black and dark by Zorrac. He kills every person that goes against him. People started leaving Duskhaven. Even I left it and ran away here with my wife Alana and settled in London. People want your parents to rule the state but we don’t have much power to defeat Zorrac. He can even captivate people. His powers are growing day by day. Your parents were afraid to lose you and so they gave you to your parents Trixie and Griffin, they were aware of Duskhaven. Griffin once entered the city by mistake and that was when he met me. Griffin and Trixie had no children so they adopted you. But your parents need you now!”

“I am just very confused and I can’t believe this story!” said Lily with wide eyes. “So, Is Duskhaven a so called magical city, where people are wizards?”
“No you are wrong! Duskhaven is not like that. Don’t connect it to fantasy fictional movies! In Duskhaven each and every person is born with a special kind of power. Like I have the power to lift anything that I want, my wife Alana can cure any disease, Darius has the power of books… he is very intelligent and Elmira is blessed with power of sprinter she can get wherever she want in seconds!” He said
“I’m not able to believe this!” exclaimed Lily
“Let me show you a demo!” by saying this he stretched his hand towards a table and opened his palm and the table started flying.
Lily was not able to believe her eyes.
“So what power am I blessed with?” asked Lily
“That you will discover yourself!” By saying this he left the house.
Lily sat on the couch in shock until her grandmother returned home.
She narrated everything to her grandmother.

“Your parents have left some letters for you in the locker. But I can’t give them to you!” said the old lady softly
“But why?” questioned Lily.
“Don’t ask me the reason. It’s the rule! And you’ll not break it anyway! You are not going anywhere and just forget about all these!” screamed the grandmother
“But why? I want to meet my real parents! They need me!” Said Lily
“Just forget I said and go to your room! Don’t even think about it again. You are daughter of Trixie and Griffin… and that’s it! Don’t ever ask me again! And don’t you ever dare to open the locker or think about that damn thing again!” shouted her grandmother “Go to your room!”
Lily rushed to her room with her eyes filled with tears.

Coming back to now…

Lily was sitting on the same window when she suddenly saw a car coming. A boy opened the door of the car. It was none other but Dorian! Her best friend! There was no limit to her happiness and she quickly ran down, opened the door and hugged him.
“I’m so glad to see you Dorian!”
“I am too!” he replied “I am here for a few weeks for dad’s work. Then I will return to Cambridge!”
“Oh that’s great!” Replied Lily
They had a long talk and soon Dorian went to his house (In Lily’s neighborhood).
Next morning when Lily was going to meet Dorian, her grandmother stopped her and said. “We’re shifting to Cambridge! I have talked to Dorian’s dad. They have seen a house in their neighborhood. Be ready!”
Lily stood quiet there for a few seconds, replied nothing and left.

She told Dorian everything
“Lily! I think your grandma is right you should forget about all these. This is not a fantasy movie dear. This is reality! And there is nothing like Duskhaven and all. Forget it! That man was probably making you a fool! And that table was just your illusion.” Said Dorian
“But….”
“Lily! Come on, just think logically. Your grandmother loves you a lot. Just listen to me and get shifted to Cambridge and start a new fresh life there!”
“But what about those letters?” Lily asked
“They must be some kind of love letters for you from your mom and dad. I think your grandma wants you to read them on right time.” He replied
Lily agreed after a long conversation and within some days they shifted to Cambridge. Life was again normal and Lily started a new fresh life.

After 1 week….

One day, when she was returning from school she suddenly got an old yellow envelop written ‘Lily’ on it. She picked it up and opened. There was just a single line written: - "They need you!"
Lily was scared. She noticed no one on the street not even a single bird, she quickly torn and threw it away.
She told no one about this.

That following Sunday when her grandmother was at Dorian’s house for breakfast she was alone. She was still in her bed sleeping tight. Suddenly the telephone ranged. She woke up in half sleep and received it.
“Hello” she said
She got no reply
“Hello? Who’s it? Lily Bard here.”
“They need you!” someone screamed
“Who’s that!??”
“They need you badly! Lily Dusklyn!” said someone in scary voice and disconnected.
Lily stood there in shock.
Till one month she received weird phone calls just saying that “they need you!” every time with different voices, a lots of letters with the same words every time and even gift boxes with a paper inside written the same thing.

She was frustrated and so she told Dorian about all this.
“My past is following me Dorian! I’m even getting some cringe dreams now a days!”
“Someone is probably doing this intentionally to disturb you! We must find a way and teach that person a lesson!” He said aggressively “You don’t worry I will get a solution for this, till then we can do nothing.”
Lily nodded disappointedly and left.

That night when she was sleeping she heard a sound from her balcony which was in her room upstairs, she went and opened the door of the balcony and found a key with a note: - “Open the locker and see the truth!”

She was astonished and that night there was no trace of sleep.
Next morning she missed her school. That afternoon she went to the locker when her grandmother was sleeping. She murmured; - “Dear Grandma please forgive me I am going to break the unbreakable rule!”
She opened the locker took all the papers, closed it and rushed to her room.

The letters were like this;-

Dear Lily,
This is the hidden truth that was buried in our hearts from a long time… we want to tell you. We are not your real parents! They are Darius and Elmira Dusklyn. This is harsh but reality. We loved you like real daughter but one day you will have to go back and meet them. Your real home is Duskhaven! The time you turn 18 just go back!”
Your loving parents

Dear Lily,
Like everyone in Duskhaven you also have some powers. That you will know when you will meet the great wizard of Duskhaven named Nerwin. Zorrac and you have some connection, that’s why your parents gave you to us!
You’re loving Parents

Dear Mother,
I know that you love Lily by your whole heart. But we are not her true family. After the death of Griffin I feel very alone. That’s why I’m going to Duskhaven. To help Darius and Elmira. I will come back within a year but if I don’t then Lily is your responsibility. When she turns 18 please let her meet her real parents. I know that you’ll not let her go and won’t either tell her the truth but you’ll have to! I know that you have already rejected this decision. I’m sorry that I am going without your permission, but trust me I am going to do a good deed!
You’re Daughter
Trixie

There was some photos of Griffin and Trixie along with Lily. Lily’s eyes were filled with tears. She also found address of Duskhaven. The way to it was from a secret door from the subway at a place in London.
Suddenly she got a call. She received it.

“Hello! Is it Lily?” Asked someone in a shaky voice
“Yes! Who is it?” She asked back
“I am Evander Hollow! Remember me? I sent the letters and key to you! But I can’t come to help you! Alana died!” He said sobbing hard and disconnected.
Lily sat on her bed in surprised, looking at the letters with wet eyes.

Next Morning….

She kept all the letters and photos in a small backpack and left for school.
The letters, the photos and Evander’s voice were running through her head. She was not able to concentrate.

3 weeks later…

When Lily was resting. Suddenly the telephone produces a POP sound indicating that someone has sent a message. Lily went near the phone and pressed the button. It was a voice message. “Lily! Lily! I am Alana! Alana Hollow! Your parents need you! Duskhaven is in danger!” This voice message left Lily in shock.
“Alana! But she died two weeks ago!” She thought.
She quickly dialed the phone department, requested them, and got to know that the message was recorded just 40 Minutes ago!
She sat down in deep shock not knowing what to do.

That night she was not able to sleep. She woke up, took the bag in which she had kept the photos and letters. Quickly changed her clothes, wore her Blazer and muffler. Took money from drawer, wrote a note saying sorry to grandmother and lefts for Duskhaven.

She had more than enough money to reach London. She took up a train. It was midnight and there were very less passengers. She was sitting alone there until… an old women arrived and seated next to her. She smiled at her. Lily smiled back.
“I know you Lily! I also knew that you were coming. I’m here to take you to Duskhaven.” Said the old lady
“But… how?” Lily asked surprisingly
The old lady smiled “I have the powers to look at the person whenever I want. No matter how far he/she is from me”
After almost 2 hours they reached London. From the station they went walking. By this time Lily told everything to the old woman but she didn’t replied a single word as if she already knew everything. Till then it started raining. They made their steps faster and after a few minutes they reached the subway.
There were no lights in the subway maybe because of rain, the lights were disconnected. It was all dark inside. The woman pulled out a small torch from her jacket. They stood in mid of the subway.
“Don’t be scared and don’t scream.” Said the old woman.
‘What? Why?”
“Umbra Voco” said the old woman and suddenly the floor under their feet disappeared and they fell.
“AAAAAAaaaahhhh…!” Lily screamed
That was like a magical worm hole which was seaming never-ending to Lily. Just in few seconds they fell at a place.

All the people were gathered around as if they were waiting for them.
“Why are they looking at me like that?” whispered Lily
“Because you are their hope!” Replied the old woman smiling.
They walked and reached at an old vintage house. There were old kind of lights all over. The woman and Lily entered the house. Everyone were following them.
“Is it Lily Dusklyn?”
“Is she the same Lily?”
“Is she the real daughter of Elmira and Darius?” People were murmuring
The old woman closed the door. Some people were sitting in the house. A woman wearing an old gown rushed and hugged Lily.
“Lily My child! You are grown up now. I haven’t seen you since 18 years! I am your mother Elmira!” She sobbed.
Lily’s eyes grew wet and she hugged her again “Mom! I love you! She cried.
A man with a nice beard went closer to her with tears in his eyes. Lily hugged him and cried “Dad! I can’t believe that I am meeting you!”
This all was quiet emotional. After some time everyone settled and Lily narrated everything to them.
“Alana is dead Lily. That unexpected message to you was sent by us!” Said Elmira “We recorded Alana’s voice when she was living last days of her life.”
Suddenly Evander Hollow came from a room. Lily went and hugged him too. “Thanks to you uncle! This all happened just because of you!” she said smiling.
“Mom! Dad! Can you please tell me what happened here? and how did this all happened?”
Darius stood up from his chair “Yes my dear child.” He said “We had a tough time… For 5 years we were childless and one day I got the news that Elmira is pregnant. We were happy. At the time you was taking birth Elmira’s condition was worse. I didn’t wanted to lose her. All the doctors lose hope. Suddenly Nerwin… the great wizard of Duskhaven arrived. He cured Elmira by his magical powers and you were born. He named you Lily. “This girl is blessed with very unique powers” Nerwin said and left. We were happy for you. I was the minister on this state and our king & queen were also very happy for you. One rainy night a black magic wizard… Zorrac, tried to grab and take you away. But Evander was at our home that night who saved you! Nerwin told us that you had some special powers and so he tried to take you away. We were afraid of losing you. One month later Zorrac returned to kingdom with more powers. He turned the shiny day into a stormy night, he killed the king and queen and captured our kingdom. Nerwin provided us a place to hide with you. Zorrac was searching for you! We didn’t wanted to lose you. One day Griffin by mistakenly entered here with Evander. We gave you away with him as we saw honesty, truth and love in his eyes. Evander also migrated to London to protect you. We still live here hiding. From that day there is no sunshine in this state, just darkness everywhere. We tried many times to defeat him but nothing worked. A plenty of people died. We spread the rumors that Lily is dead so that he won’t search for you. Some years later your mother Trixie came her after death of Griffin. Zorrac somehow found her and asked her about you. She suffered badly for 1 week in his prison and died but didn’t told about you.”
There was silence in room.
“So who am I actually? And what is the relation between me and Zorrac. I am confused!” Lily proclaimed.
“Have you yet discovered your powers?” Inquired Darius
“No not yet!” Lily responded
“Here everyone discovers their powers just when they are of age 5 but you haven’t. As Nerwin had mentioned you are unique and he also told me that you will discover your powers at the right time.” Darius asserted
All of a sudden someone knocks the door. The old woman opens it.
“Who are you?”
“Lily! Where is she?” the person on the door asks
“Just get lost!”
“Wait!” Lily exclaimed.
She went to the door and saw that it was Dorian!
She hugged him and let him enter the house.
“How did you came here?” She wondered
“I was following you. When I saw you going out alone at night!”
Lily introduced Dorian to everyone.
“Okay kids you must be tired just go and sleep now… we’ll talk tomorrow.” Remarked Elmira.
Next day….
Lily and Dorian were talking in the room upstairs at noon.
“She isn’t anywhere!” Someone yelled
Lily and Dorian hurried downstairs and found Darius frustrated.
“What happened Dad?”
“Elmira! She is lost! We have not seen her since morning!” Darius replied with almost wet eyes.
“Don’t worry Dad! She must have been gone somewhere.” Said Lily consoling her father.
It was evening now and still there was no trace of Elmira. One by one all the people returned saying “we didn’t found her!”
They heard a sound of breaking glass from upstairs spontaneously.
Everyone immediately went upstairs and saw a rolled paper tied on a stone.
Lily opened that paper and read;-

"I know that Lily is in Duskhaven. I kidnapped Elmira. If you want her back safely then send Lily to my castle alone!"
Zorrac

Everyone had a pale face.
“I will go... Tomorrow!” declared Lily
“Are you insane? He want to kill you!” said the old woman
Lily held her father’s hand and said “Trust me dad! Destiny will definitely help me. I just want to meet Nerwin once. I will save my mother. Please dad!” requested Lily
“Let her go Darius! My gut feeling is saying to let her go!” Said Evander
“Call Nerwin now!” Exclaimed Darius.
Nerwin came home within an hour. He was very old with lots of wrinkles on his face, completely white haired, wearing a dusty green hat, Grey clothes and brown old robe.
“Leave me and Lily alone!” He said in a stammering voice
Everyone left the house except him and Lily.
“Held my hand tightly” Nerwin said
She held his hands and everything around started spinning very rapidly.
They reached another place. Nerwin stood up. Lily was still sitting down feeling dizzy. There was fainted smoke through which Nerwin was walking slowly his long robe rubbing the ground. It was looking like an ancient cave. There were creepers all over. A circular stage appeared at the center with a beautiful tall shimmering mirror on it which was reflecting silver light. Lily followed Nerwin.
“This is the mirror of Origin!” he proclaimed and his voice echoed through the cave. “Only those bound with prophecy can enter.”
“Look carefully. We can saw no reflection!” He said
Lily looked carefully and observed nothing just soft silver light.
Lily stood beside the glowing mirror, confused and amazed.
She looked up at Nerwin.
“But… what is this place? And why am I here?”
Nerwin placed his hand gently on the mirror frame.
“This is where all truth begins, you were brought to this world not just to find your family, but to fix what has been broken.”
Lily remarked “Everyone keeps saying I’m special. But I still don’t know what my power is. I feel… empty.”
Nerwin turned towards her.
“Your power is not like others. You were born with a rare gift—one that can break lies, reveal hidden truths, and see into hearts. That is why Zorrac fears you. He lives through darkness and tricks. But you… you are the light!”
Lily stepped back in shock.
“You mean… my power is truth!”
“Yes!” said Nerwin. “But truth can be dangerous. It can shake kingdoms, destroy lies, and even change people’s minds. That is why Zorrac tried to take it from you when you were a baby, but he failed.”
Lily’s voice trembled.
“If I’m so powerful, then why haven’t I been able to do anything yet?”
“Because your power doesn’t grow through fighting,” Nerwin said softly. “It grows through bravery and kindness. Through choosing what is right when it’s hard. And tomorrow, when you enter Zorrac' s castle—you will face the biggest test of your life.”
Lily nodded.
“I don’t know if I’m ready, but I will go. I have to save my mother!”
Nerwin pulled out a small silver pendant out of his robe.
It was shining bright.
“Wear this.” he said placing it in her hand. “When the time comes, it will guide you to the truth, even in the darkest place.”
The next morning, it was dawn, Sun had not arisen yet. Lily stood at the edge of Duskhaven's dark forest. The air was cold and quiet, the sky covered with thick black clouds. She was able to see Zorrac' s dark castle from a distance.
She held the silver pendant Nerwin had given her nervously. It glowed faintly in her palm.
“Please protect me, Mom!” she whispered in fear, then stepped into the forest.
After walking for minutes through fog and thorny paths, she finally reached the black rusty iron gates of the castle. They creaked open on their own as if they were waiting for her.
Lily trembled and entered slowly. The castle was quiet — too quiet. Inside, there were no guards, no sounds and not a single bird. Only flickering lights on the walls and strange symbols glowing on the floor.
Suddenly, a voice echoed around her.
“Well, you finally came, Lily Dusklyn!”
She froze and turned.
A tall man appeared at the end of the hallway — his face hidden in a dark hood, but his red eyes shining like fire.
“Where is my mother?” Lily shouted.
Zorrac laughed. “Still brave, just like your father! But don’t forget that you are in my castle now!”
He waved his hand, and the walls of the castle shifted drastically. The floor shook. Lily fell to her knees frightened, but she quickly stood again.
“I’m not afraid of you!” she yelled.
“Oh, but you should be!” he hissed, walking closer. “You don’t even know your power poor girl”
Lily held the pendant tight. “I don’t need to fight with magic. I just need the truth!”
Suddenly, the pendant grew warm. A soft silver light burst from it and surrounded Lily. The air shimmered, and everything around her froze — even Zorrac.
Lily heard a voice in her head. It was Nerwin’s voice:
“The truth is your gift! Use it now! Be brave!”
She closed her eyes and whispered slowly:
“Show me the truth.”
In that moment, everything around her changed.
The dark castle walls turned to mirrors — and in one of them, she saw her mother, locked in a black cage, crying. But in another mirror, she saw Zorrac as a young boy, scared, alone, his eyes carrying tears of anger and fear, surrounded by fire.
She gasped. “He… he was hurt too?”
Zorrac' s body unfroze. He looked at her, eyes wide.
“You saw it?” he questioned looking at her. “My past?”
Lily stepped forward. “You were good once. You wanted to protect Duskhaven.”
He turned, trying to hide his trembling hands. “Don’t say that! I never!”
“But it’s true. You did!” she said “You lost your family. And you let the darkness take you. But you don’t have to stay that way!”
“No! Just shut up!” he exclaimed
“You let the circumstances make you devil!”
“I am the devil! And I don’t need anyone! I’ll kill you! I am the king! I will rule!” He cried with wet eyes of anger.
Zorrac screamed, holding his head. The castle shook again.
“STOP! Get out of my mind!”
The light from Lily’s pendant grew brighter and brighter, until it filled the room completely. The mirrors shattered, the cage holding her mother disappeared, and Elmira rushed and appeared beside her.
“Lily!” she cried, hugging her tightly.
Zorrac dropped to his knees. His magic was breaking!
Lily looked at him, not with hate—but with sadness.
“I forgive you!” she said softly.
A single tear rolled down his cheek before he vanished into smoke.
The storm over Duskhaven began to fade.
Dark clouds slowly rolled away, and for the first time in years, sunlight touched the ground. The trees glistened, and the sky turned a soft gold.
Lily stood outside Zorrac' s castle with her mother beside her. Behind them, villagers were arriving, surprised to see the dark magic was gone.
Dorian ran to them through the trees.
“Lily!” he shouted.
She smiled and hugged him tightly. “We did it!”
People gathered around, whispering, “She saved us! She brought back the light!”

Later that day, in the village square, Lily stood on a stone platform with her parents, Dorian, Nerwin, and Evander.
Darius raised his hand.
“My people! After years of hiding, fear, and pain, hope has returned! Not through war, not through power, But through the truth! And through my daughter!” He said proudly.
Everyone clapped. Cheers & happiness filled the air.
Nerwin stepped forward and placed his hand on Lily’s shoulder.
“You choose wisely, child. You didn’t fight with anger, but with heart. That is real power!”
Lily looked around at the people, the bright sky, and the flowers blooming again.
“I don’t know what my future holds.” she said. “But I want to stay. Not as a hero, but as someone who wants to help rebuild.”
Her parents smiled.
“You’ll always be our Lily!” said Elmira, hugging her tightly.

That night, Lily sat under the stars, writing in her diary again.
GOAL 7: Find real parents.
She crossed it out softly.
Then wrote:
GOAL 8: Become the light I was born to be!
A soft wind blew the page.
Duskhaven had begun to dream again!