A chapter written long ago that was never posted. I'm definetely getting back into the Saga so enjoy this chapter and look for more. Keep in mind that this chapter does not take into account Bulbasaur4's excellent advice from her review.
Chapter 15: A Storm Building
Alsha streaked across the dew soaked grass of the early morning, her tiny wings flailing as fast as the fairy could move them, the reeds and tall grasses that grew along the riverside swatting at her frail form as she crashed through them. Fear drove the tiny diel, a fear that had been chasing her since late last night as the shadow had fallen over her. Alone, dancing in the moonlight to replenish her Magic, Alsha had alighted lightly on the fragile branch of a sapling, the pale orb of the moon dominating her wide, almond shaped eyes. Peace had settled over her, a peace that had so recently been ruined by rumors of…something moving from the North, horrible stories half-believed by those who heard them passed by wandering diel. Half-believed because everyone could feel some trouble in the flows, could feel a foreign current from the North that was a constant reminder that things were not as perfect as they may wish. It was for that reason that Alsha had come out that night, to find some solace in the lunar flows that came not from any worldly source, held no ominous portends of the future in them. Only now did she realize how close that future was.
She had yet to truly see what it was, but the glimpses she had caught as she fled desperately were enough. She wondered why the thing hadn’t seized her yet, for its speed was like nothing she could match. Alsha knew she was being played with, knew she was being herded as every time she turned for the way back to her treetop home near Undrial the creature emerged to drive her back once again to her frantic flight. Her breath wracked her tiny body with its harshness, her wings burnt with the strain of flying at a speed they were not built for. She had already begun to lose altitude when she struck the log that jutted out from the riverbed and crashed head over heels into the shallow bank. Bloodied and bruised from the rocks that lined the riverbed, Alsha scrambled to her feet and leapt back into the air. A second later she crashed, her wings bent and twisted from the fall and unwilling to carry her weight any longer.
Desperate tears filled the fairy’s eyes, her powers would heal her quickly, for that was what the Magic of her form was built around, but she could not sit still long enough any more than she could walk out and announce her presence to her pursuer. She was still pondering her options, attempting to organize her thought as well as she could with her heart pounding, when the nightmare landed in the river in front of her.
Trembling, she lifted her eyes. The monster was smiling. Had Alsha lived to her thirtieth wings she would have never seen anything as frightening as the fang-filled mirth of the being that stood above her. Somehow she managed to speak, her high-pitched voice trembling uncontrollably, “W-what do you want?”
The monster tilted its head, the rising sun behind it blinding the fairy to all of the thing’s features save the horrific smile. The voice that replied to her querulous question was filled with wry amusement,” “Don’t trouble yourself with questions; you won’t live long enough to appreciate the answers.”
A claw lashed out from the thing’s side, grabbing the fairy in its crushing grip. The tiny scream of the diel cut off abruptly. Mercifully, the strength of the monster’s grasp was enough to drive Alsha unconscious, sparing her the sight of that smiling mouth opening wide.
Vasilis lifted his silken cloak out of the water as he stepped from the river onto its bank, finding himself a dry rock to seat himself. He could feel the healing Magic of the fairy’s soul doing its work already, sucking the ephemeral remnants of the thing dry. This was the fifth fairy he had devoured since two nights ago when that blasted human had taken his eye. He would have preferred a more…potent diel, but his location and present situation limited his choices. His face was sufficiently healed by this point, this last fairy having restored the last of the vampiric diel’s vision and leaving nothing more than a scar to mark the original wound. Whatever the human had hit him with had made the wound more difficult to heal; he would have to wait to restore his face to its former perfection until a more prudent time. The humans had proved more difficult that he had imagined, the girl stank of Yuriandel’s touch and the boy had even managed to surprise him. Knowing their capabilities now however, Vasilis would not be caught off guard again. The vampire sighed as he felt the remaining essence of the fairy give one last spiritual scream before vanishing into whatever oblivion awaited those souls that he had sucked dry. Fairies, they were hardly worth the effort getting them terrified enough to be worth anything. Standing, Vasilis turned toward the road that led from the Fenral, following with his red eyes its path as it snaked through the few hills that lay between the forest and Undrial. They would almost be there, Vasilis estimated, just in time. If they survived, he might even be able to get his revenge. He was sure the human’s souls would provide far more amusement than those pitiful fairies’.
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It had taken almost half a day after Vasilis’ attack, but finally Weslyn had recovered enough to where he was able to keep up with his two companions. Throughout the rest of that day, and most of the one after, his condition improved until the last remaining marks of the nighttime attack were a few streaks of grey in his otherwise blonde hair and a dull ache in a few of his joints. He certainly was going to be wary before he tried to use his power again, though he doubted his own ability to regulate it. During the frequent rests that Weslyn had required, at least at first, Lesalia had asked Kelene to describe more of Gaia to them, a train of conversation that seemed to have been focused on Kelene’s teaching at Celandiel. Weslyn supposed it was because the young-looking monk knew little else about Gaia as a whole that she was not taught in the temple, so dedicated had she been to Yuriandel. He learned through the conversation that Undrial was the only other diel settlement she had traveled to with any frequency, and then only for a day or so at a time to collect new followers or perform some act the diel had requested of them. Due to his guide’s lack of experience, Weslyn found his questions regarding the geography and greater history of Gaia met more often than not with a shrug and a suggestion to ask the diel in Undrial such questions. Lesalia was pleased with the information Kelene was furnishing her with however. For a champion of a Goddess, the young woman had next to no knowledge about the Gaian divinity at all, something she had decided to fix.
Kelene held her arms out to her sides, palms up, as she spoke, “Everything, by its very nature of existing, must be part of a balance. This is a teaching of Yuriandel but is obvious to anyone who truly contemplates it. If a balance did not exist, the makeup of the world would collapse as the unbalanced aspect would not be able to find its proper place and thus would interfere with the functioning of the rest. Thus, just as there is Compassion which is embodied in Yuriandel, so too is there Greed and Malice which happen to be the realms of Balthisar.”
Sidestepping to avoid a pothole on the wide road the three travelers had followed since leaving the Fenral, Lesalia replied, “If such a balance is known to exist, why take the time to champion one side or another?”
Smiling knowingly, Kelene answered, “That philosophy assumes that the things being balanced have the same weight. Take our aspect of the world, Compassion, and its opposite, Greed. From your view of how the balance works, each act of Compassion that one of us performed would cause some act of Greed to take place elsewhere. We are taught that that is not true, that one aspect can become the dominant one. It is enough that the other aspect exists for the balance to me maintained.”
Lesalia nodded in understanding, “So the mere fact that Greed exists, that people can feel it, is enough of a balance even in a world where Compassion is the norm?”
Kelene indicated her agreement, happy that Lesalia had understood, “Of course, it is the same for all aspects of the world, not just emotions. The fact Yuriandel can grant you power means that Balthisar can do the same for his children.”
Weslyn spoke up, “What about me?”
At this, Kelene’s expression became less sure, “Your powers are like none I have seen before, and I don’t know their nature or origin so I can’t tell you what you are balancing. I suspect it will become apparent eventually.”
Lesalia spoke again, having waited for the exchange between Weslyn and Kelene to resolve itself, “Am I likely to meet many other clerics such as myself?”
Kelene shook her head, “A Divine does not choose a champion unless there is some great need due to the amount of power they must be willing to dedicate to such a pursuit. I have only heard of a few, and I believe you may be the first Yuriandel has ever risen. Common followers’ powers are limited and specialized for a purpose decided upon by their Divine.”
As the three crested a lightly wooded hill that lay on the path to Undrial, Weslyn spoke, “What purpose were you chosen for?”
Kelene’s face became set in a neutral expression, so far she had refrained from allowing her curse to overwhelm her emotions since the three had departed from Celandiel but it was obvious that the subject of her devotion to Yuriandel was still a sensitive one to her. Despite her discomfort, Kelene answered, “I had yet to be given my purpose.”
Lesalia did not respond to the monk’s pronouncement for a moment, feeling the slight tingle within that caused her to instead look inward, to where the Goddess watched within her. Feeling the sudden urging, understanding what Yuriandel was intending, Lesalia finally spoke, “Could guiding and protecting us not be your purpose?”
The flash of hope that quickly subsided was enough to tell Lesalia that Kelene was desperate to find some explanation for her Goddess abandonment. Once again the young woman wondered at Yuriandel’s method at convincing the monk to accompany the humans, surely she could have simply ordered Kelene along and save the monk significant torment. Feeling the assured denial of the Goddess within, Lesalia suppressed a sigh and listened to the monk’s response, “I…don’t think so.”
Weslyn’s self control was not as strong as Lesalia’s and with a heavy sigh he raised his arms in the air an asked, “Have you even tried asking your Goddess what’s going on?”
Kelene’s turned her head and lowered her gaze, focusing it somewhere along the side of the path, “I am afraid of what her answer will be.”
It was Lesalia who responded her voice smooth and quiet, “Might not that fear be the reason for your curse?”
Kelene did not respond. The three lapsed into silence, a silence that would last until, with the sun just beginning to dip beneath the horizon and they made their camp around a small pond formed from the side of a river that ran, more or less, parallel to the path. The tall grass provided some amount of privacy and after setting watch; Weslyn taking the first, Lesalia and Kelene settled and were quickly asleep after a long day of travel. Yawning, the Gaian day seemed to be a bit longer than he was used to, Weslyn sat gazing up and down the path, keeping an eye out for any travelers that may happen upon the small camp He searched the sky as well for any sign of the thing that had attacked them two nights ago, Weslyn had seen the malevolent intelligence in the thing’s eyes and knew that it had been looking for more than a quick meal that night.
It looked like Caylen was not alone in his responsibility for a power greater than himself anymore Weslyn mused. Lesalia, who he at first had thought had taken the mantle of Yuriandel’s cleric for her own inquisitive ends, seemed to be taking a genuine interest in what was expected of her by the Goddess. As for himself, Weslyn though with dire amusement, he would be happy enough to never have a reason to use his powers to the extreme that he had during his last fight ever again, he wanted to grow to old age at his own damn pace thank you very much. Weslyn hoped that Lesalia and he would find Caylen and Cammie in or near Undrial so that they could return to their world. Holding up his right hand, Weslyn concentrated for a moment. In a moment, the thin bolts of energy he had seen during his fight began arcing between his fingers much like how lightning arced between clouds in a stormy sigh. Closing his fist, Weslyn dismissed the energy. A sigh escaped his chest, he had a bad feeling that things weren’t going to go as easy as he hoped, they already hadn’t. Glancing up once again, Weslyn noted the position of the moon and realized that it was time to change the watch. Glad to put aside his depressing thoughts, he quietly woke Kelene. Lying down, Weslyn flexed his stiff hand a few times before falling into a dark and dreamless sleep.
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Kelene stared up at the moon as it hovered atop the night sky, full and glorious in both its light and in the flows it sent to tenuously stroke the ground with their subtle and mysterious power. She remembered only one time in her life that the moon had not been as full and beautiful as it was today. That was a night she would happily forget was the choice available to her. As it was however, the youthful looking diel knelt in the moonlight and fought to calm her fluttering stomach, an unnerving experience for one who had so recently not had a stomach, or any other fully physical parts for that matter. She stared at her smooth hands, Lesalia’s last comment hanging in her mind. She was afraid, Kelene admitted, afraid of her fears being confirmed were she to ask about them. A disgusted laugh escaped her lips, afraid of fears? What a horrible circle that was!
“Well at least you have not forgotten how to laugh…”
Kelene’s face paled, he breath beginning to come in short gasps. Feeling the presence standing directly in front of her, she fearfully kept her eyes on her hands.
“Oh for Compassion’s sake, look at me!”
Raising her face, Kelene gaped at the ghostly figure that stood lightly on its tiptoes above the tiny pond. Formed of the lunar flows that continued to weave peacefully around and through her, a shimmering nymph stared serenely from between shimmering blue and purple locks of hair that cascaded down her face to wrap modestly around her body. The avatar of Yuriandel took a graceful step, sending silent ripples across the face of the pond as she made her way to its shore and stopped. Kelene found her fear cowering in the face of the awe and love that poured from her heat, “Goddess…”
The nymph smiled sadly, a sadness that shook Kelene to her core, and replied, “Child. Why have you run from me these last days? Why have you left my calls unanswered?”
A watery layer began to form on Kelene’s eyes, tears of shame gathering, “I run from your displeasure Goddess…you have cursed me with this shape and such have made me unable to be molded and shaped by your guidance. I feared to test your patience any further.”
A look of pained love appeared on Yuriandel’s face, “You believe this shape to be a curse, a denial of your ability to offer yourself to your Divine…can’t you see Child? Your offer was accepted, I have molded you as I see fit.”
The tears that had built in Kelene eyes escaped their bounds, tracing glistening lines down her flawless features, “You have not turned from me?”
Sliding to her knees to come to Kelene’s level, Yuriandel shook her shining head, “No Child, I have given you a task, one that may decide the fate of Gaia itself. I am forbidden from interfering beyond setting you at the beginning of the path, I cannot even tell you how or when you will be needed, but you have not been abandoned.”
Kelene lowered her gaze once again, unable to look at the face of her Goddess through her tearful release of her shame and fear. She felt Yuriandel’s brilliant arms encircle her, felt her soft hair on her head and face, felt the soft pressure and gathering wetness as the Goddess’ tears washed over her. Kelene found her breath, “Why do you cry Goddess? I am the one who was too blind to see what had been given to her, the blame is mine.”
Yuriandel looked over Kelene’s head as her tears continued to fall, her eyes falling on the sleeping form of Lesalia, “I do not cry because of your brief failing Child, I cry because I have some idea of what lies ahead for you and Lesalia. I cry because my compassion for you rips me apart even as I guide you into the gathering darkness. Only my fears for what may happen should I not act allows me to put you two who I love so much through what you will be forced to endure.”
Kelene’s voice was small and subdued from within Yuriandel’s embrace, her tears mixing with those of her Goddess as they ran through her hair and down her face, “Will you be with me?”
Pulling her arms apart enough so that she could grasp Kelene by her shoulders, Yuriandel lowered her eyes from Lesalia to peer into those of the diel, her voice fiercely earnest and heartfelt, “When hope vanishes, and it seems as though the world may weep itself to death, I will be standing by you Child. Until the last flows of Magic disintegrate and the last voice is quieted I will never leave you. And when you come to me, having given all that you are and ever will be to protect that which you love, I will walk with you forever on the paths unknown to even the Divine.”
Kelene smiled, her still wet eyes wide with visions of her Goddess words given to her by the Magic of her voice. Doubt still was present in her voice though, “Am I strong enough for what you ask me to do?”
Yuriandel stood, releasing Kelene to peer at the moon above, her body glowing all the brighter when bathed in the full glory of the hovering orb, “Honestly my Child, I do not know. I do not know if any are strong enough for the what I hope you will fulfill.”
Kelene remained kneeling, some of the fear that had mercifully left her beginning to return, “I do not feel strong, I don’t know if I ever have. The worries of a whole world…how can I take that on me?”
Yuriandel dropped her luminescent eyes to the crouched form in front of her once more, her reply soft, “You will never know until the time comes, you can only do your best to prepare for that time, for when it presents itself you will not be able to hesitate.”
Summoning her courage, Kelene stood and managed to look into the eyes of the Goddess with barely a glimmer of tears, “Although I fear the burden you are resting on me may be too much…I accept it and pray only that I do not fail you.”
Smiling with love for her Child, Yuriandel stepped backward, back onto the water of the pond until she stood where she had first appeared to Kelene, “My prayers will be with you as well. Goodbye my Child, my Love goes with you.”
Without a sound, the glimmering nymph dissolved, the individual flows that had comprised her body spiraling off in their own directions, flaring briefly before disappearing into the still night air. Kelene whispered as the last of the captured lunar flows dissolved, “And mine with you…Mother.”
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Lesalia awoke with the sun, the sudden light on the horizon gently pulling the young cleric from her slumber. Opening her narrow eyes, she slowly sat up, still reluctant to leave the peaceful embrace of sleep. Only when she was fully upright did her mind register something as amiss. Blinking away the stinging ray of the sun, Lesalia located Kelene standing beside the path, glancing her way with a soft smile on her face. Standing, Lesalia smoothed her dress which was becoming increasingly frayed and worn as the days went on. Gliding to stand by the monk, Lesalia commented, “You did not wake me for my watch?”
Handing Lesalia one of the water skins, Kelene replied, “I didn’t feel like I could go back to sleep…so I took your watch.”
Drinking deeply, Lesalia returned the water skin, studying Kelene’s face as she did. The diel was different, her face and posture having changed since the night before. Gone was the look of loathing and despondence that had been the monk’s constant companion since leaving Celandiel. In its place was a mixture of confusion and uncertainty, undercut by a surprisingly strong look of resolve. Lesalia graced the diel with a smile, “Your fear did not stop you from confronting our Goddess did it?”
Kelene gave a bemused smiled back at her companion, , “No, but I half wish I could go back to when I believed I was cursed…now things are a lot more complicated.”
A laugh sounded from behind the two. Turning, they saw Weslyn sitting up from his sleeping position, smiling as well, “Join the club, things have been getting complicated since long before we met you.”
Within the space of a few minutes, the three had gathered their sparse supplies and set out once again on the path to Undrial. The day was warm and dry, with enough of a wind to periodically kick up the dust of the road and send the travelers into fits of coughing. For the most part however it was easy traveling and they made good time, unburdened by Weslyn’s weakness which seemed to have disappeared as the grey in his hair had. Kelene announced that they would top the last hill that overlooked the Tithalin Field a few hours after the sun had reached its peak in the sky. Undrial sat in the center of the field. There, they hoped, some of the most powerful diel on Gaia would be willing to help them find their friends, if they were not already in the city themselves.
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Aeryth was perched on the highest tower in Undrial, the great spire that was the center of the cities powerful Magic. Stretched out beneath him was the maze of pathways and bridges that from street level seemed to be a hopelessly tangled knot but, from so high above, was in actually a work of art as great as any Aeryth had ever viewed. The flows of Magic crisscrossing the city wove a tapestry of incomparable beauty and purpose that all culminated at the tower the phoenix chose as his resting point. It had taken the ancient diel a generation to construct the Magic of Undrial, to piece together the great city-rune that provided safety, prosperity, and power to its inhabitants and the land around it.
Aeryth’s gaze rose to the horizon directly underneath the early morning sun, magically shading his vision from the powerful light. He focused on the great channel of Magic that fed Undrial from the east, watching its ebs and flows, his eyes sharp with the knowledge of age and crushing responsibility. There was little use in him studying the channel aside from some last remaining hope that his vision had been mistaken since the first hints of disruption had become evident several days before the arrival of the humans. That last hope disappeared with the same ferocity as the magical explosion that ripped the channel asunder, scattering its enormous magical power into the surrounding area, striking fires that were quickly doused by rogue flows of water, tearing great furrows in the earth that were quickly smoothed over by great gusts of air. Aeryth sighed and lowered his gaze once again, watched the massed diel below stir with the sudden destruction, watched several rush to seal the channel before its magical backlash caused any damage to the city, watched a great section of the majestic tapestry below fade out of existence.
So it began.
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Kelene stopped suddenly, pausing at the bottom of the last hill that lay between the travelers and their descent into the land surrounding Undrial, her expression suddenly troubled. The hill itself was long and steep, the trees and flowers that dotted its grassy face barely maintaining their hold on the tilted ground. The hill continued as far as the eye could see in both directions, creating the depression in which Undrial sat. Stopping alongside the diel, Weslyn and Lesalia exchanged a glance before the former spoke, “Something wrong?’
Seeming as if she was trying to look through the hill in front of them, Kelene shook her head dazedly, “Something’s wrong with the Magic. It’s…”
Watching Kelene’s gaze suddenly rise, the two humans spun to follow it into the sky. Seeing nothing, they turned back to their guide to find her eyes wide with terror, “It can’t…”
With a cut off cry, Kelene sprinted up the hill, yelling for the humans to follow. It took barely a minute to crest the small mound of earth and to look down to what lay beneath. Stunned silence was the only reaction they found themselves capable of.
It was like watching a candle burn, Weslyn later characterized it, only from the bottom up. To Kelene and Lesalia, their powers allowing them visions of the Magic continually, the fall of Undrial was far more spectacular. The Magic of Undrial was coming apart, the careful corridors set to guide the flows exploding with sudden flashes and sending the flows arcing in every direction. The buildings of the great city, supported as much by the magic as by the materials that they were made up of, were literally melting as the Magic broke free, intricate walkways falling and dripping onto the screaming shapes that battled in the streets below. The towers drooped, their bases slowly spreading out under them in rivers of steaming and bubbling stone. Above the city, a ragged cloud of flows that had traveled upward in the great explosions writhed and crashed against one another. As more and more of the city collapsed, the size of the forces fighting within the city became visible. Explosions of Magic, mere pinpricks against the greater destruction being wrecked against the city’s power, tore holes in the roiling masses of diel. Kelene fell to her knees as the sights and sounds of the battle overcame her, unable to speak. The destruction raged on, even as the compromised towers began to fall onto the remains of the city. So locked were the eyes of the three that they did not notice the figure that suddenly appeared beside them. They jumped as its voice assaulted their ears, “Identify yourselves! Now!”
Weslyn’s head snapped around to fix on the one who had talked. It was then he saw the large number of diel that dotted the landscape below, running in a desperate retreat from the city. The one that had challenged them seemed to be in the lead, braceleted arms raised in front of an absolutely stunning figure. His own eyes met the flashing purple orbs in front of him, seeing them widen in disbelieving shock. The siren’s arms lowered immediately, “Great Gods! Not now! Aeryth!”
On the siren’s call, a comet seemed to lance out of the sky, landing softly on the ground beside the small group. The phoenix’s eyes widened as well, even as Weslyn was recognized the creature from the Defender’s Crest. Turning to the siren, the phoenix spoke, “Get them in the circle Illenia, now!”
Illenia, apparently the siren’s name, nodded forcefully and began walking down the hill in the direction the three travelers had come from. Kelene trailed them as Illenia began to talk, “What are the odds that you two would show up now?!”
Lesalia disengaged her arm from Illenia’s grasp but continued to move quickly along with her, “You know who were are?”
Illenia nodded distractedly, releasing Weslyn as well as she did, “Caylen and Cammie were here several days ago, we sent them somewhere safe before…this happened.”
Lesalia realized then, hearing the hot emotion buried in the siren’s words that Illenia was barely remaining in control, “Is there anything that we can do?”
Blinking rapidly to clear her eyes, Illenia shook her head, “Not right now, not until we get you and the survivors out of here. Then your monk friend might be of some use.”
Kelene bowed, still looking deeply stunned, “I would be happy to lend what aide I could…but what in Compassion’s name happened to Undrial?”
Illenia was watching the top of the hill intently, watching as fleeing diel poured over it and began to gather around the siren, “Wait until we’re away from here…then we’ll explain.”
Weslyn watched as the flood of diel coming over the hill slowed to a trickle and then stopped. Guessing that maybe three thousand of the beings were crowded around the lower part of the hill, Weslyn shook his head, “Why’s everyone stopping? The cities too close, whoever’s attacking it could get here in a minute!”
Illenia was opening her mouth to respond with the phoenix, Aeryth by what Illenia had called him, plummeted from the sky once again. The diel began speaking even before he fluttered to a landing, “That’s everyone who’s going to be able to get out. The foundation just gave out.”
The siren gave one last sorrowful look at the top of the hill, almost pleading for the flow to begin again, “What about all of Metrion’s forces in the city?”
Aeryth shook his head angrily, “Collapsing it was intentional, they had exit flows ready. We can discuss the specifics later though, is the circle ready?”
Illenia nodded, “We finished it before they got here, all it needs is the activation trigger.”
Satisfied, the phoenix turned to the assemble diel. Weslyn cringed and turned away as Aeryth spoke, his voice magnifying tenfold, “We’re going to Karsis, prepare yourself for the travel! We have all lost much that was precious to us today: our families, our friends, our city but do not let rage and longing for revenge cloud your judgment when we arrive, allow yourself to rest and recover. The atrocity committed today on Undrial will not go unpunished, I vow it!”
Almost deflating, the Phoenix lowered his head and raised a wing in Illenia’s direction. Closing her eyes, Illenia raised her hands. Beneath the survivors of Undrial the ground lit up in a great circle. Opening her eyes, Illenia fixed them on the still burning cloud of Magic that hovered above the ruins of Undrial, a silent promise as clear as writing in them. Even as the edges of the circle began to raise, encasing all inside in an opaque dome of the same blinding light, Illenia’s eyes remained fixed. To Weslyn, who could not see the flows outside of his power, it was as though the world suddenly shrank down to nothingness and then vanished, leaving him in darkness.
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The living shadow moved carefully through the ruins of Undrial, its soft humanoid outline broken only occasionally by a stray wisp of its essence. The twisted pieces of the city’s architecture had hardened on the ground like molten rock from a volcano, frozen in ripples and waves. The shadow was attended by two other beings. Picking his way disdainfully behind his master was the vampiric Vasilis, his find clothes raised above the swirling dust that had settled over everything. Striding beside the vampire was a diel that looked, quite simply, boring. Drab brown clothes hid an unremarkable humanlike figure with a face that was decidedly plain. The eyes seemed to slide off the diel, dismissing him automatically. Only the pools of ink that seemed to fill the diel’s eyes were of any interest. Ahead of the small group, standing atop a spire that had lodged itself crookedly in the ground, was a diel that sharply contrasted those approaching him. Long, blonde hair framed a perfect face with brilliant blue eyes. Beautifully feathered wings folded around the diel’s body, barely revealing the fine white clothes that lay beneath. The angel had his back turned to the approaching diel, but the brittle remnants of the city underfoot announced their arrival clearly enough. The angel did not move as the shadow spoke calmly, “It would seem that the voids functioned as planned.”
The angelic diel stared into the setting sun, stared at the hill over which the inhabitants of Undrial had fled and disappeared, “They functioned perfectly…and yet so much of Undrial insisted on fighting anyway.”
Shooting the angel a sideways glance, the black-eyed diel moved to stand by the spire, his voice as dull and featureless as his appearance “Remorse, Daylen, is not something we have the time nor the need to feel…Undrial would see Gaia destroyed, their lives are forfeit.”
The angel, Daylen, remained looking at the sun as he replied, “No life is forfeit Rillian, one can always be redeemed.”
“Enough,” the living shadow interjected, remaining where he was yet speaking with enough authority to finally force Daylen to turn his way, “Those who fought chose to sacrifice their lives Daylen, no one forced them to. If all had fled than all would have survived. If they do not interfere with my actions from now on they will continue to survive, if they choose otherwise than they shall have to be eliminated. That is the way of things.”
Vasilis picked up one of the shards of Undrial, turning the brittle piece of material over in his hands and watching as it fell to pieces as he did, “I take it that the sylph were as effective as we thought they would be?”
The shadow stifled a chuckle, “The battle was won before they ever even saw our forces. The functioned as I made them to.”
Daylen walked solemnly down the spire he had been standing on, coming to rest in front of where the shadow stood, “I do not know how much longer I can take this war Metrion.”
Lifting its insubstantial hand, the shadow placed it on Daylen’s shoulder, a fierce look appearing in its hooded eyes, “I have given up far more than you could ever imagine Daylen, and I will give up even more to see this war end as quickly as possible. Trust in me that much longer and you will see the world we lost centuries ago rise from the ashes of this one.”
Staring into the eyes facing him, Daylen suppressed a shudder. If Metrion had changed into what he was now for his fervent fight against destruction, how could Daylen dare to show any doubt. He would descend to the darkest places in his soul to see his dream come true as well. He prayed that he would be able to claw his way out when that time came.
Re: The Phoenix Saga (Chapter Twelve Up 8/01)
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