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Blinding light fades to darkness as the portal closes behind us and we stand alone in Mage Golins workshop. My eyes adjust to the candle lit room as I search for a sign of Saren. “Hello.” I speak softly unsure if anyone is nearby. Turning I see Chris and Amanda holding the limp lifeless body of Zero and I forget my fears. “Mage Golin!! Please Mage Golin if you are here we need your help! It’s Zero he is hurt!!” I scream not caring if Saren or Tu’ralotian warriors hear me. A raspy voice sounds from the shadowed archway, “Calm yourself my dear. I am not deaf yet.” Mage Golin steps into the room and the candle light chases the shadow from his face, as he slowly walks using a cane to balence himself. His robes, grey and dusty from the years of use are accented by his matching beard. His long boney face has lost all expression and shows he is growing tried.
Quietly I ask, “Is Saren here?” Still making his way to the bench he answers, “No he and the others left some time ago. Seemed quite pleased with himself that Saren. I assume he is off to bear the good news to his master Lord Cale.” Motioning for the others to bring Zero I plead to Mage Golin, “Can you help Zero? Saren poisoned him and he is near death.” Chris heaves Zero up and puts him on the table. “What poison was it?” Mage Golin asks as he begins to mix herbs and ointments.
Thinking I see only a blur of memories but nothing about which poison it was. I remember Saren gloating but the name of the poison eludes me. “I… I don’t remember.” I reply lowering my face. “Fear not Lady Reia. I may not be sure of the poison but I do have some remedies that may help. It will be a difficult night, but if he survives it he should recover.” As he and Chris work I sit, face in my hands, crying. Amanda’s gentle hand sits on my shoulder while she speaks, “It’s going to be okay. For as long as I’ve known Ben he was always a fighter. He’ll make it. I’m sure of it.” Tears’ pouring from my eyes I nod and smile as Amanda tries to comfort me. Staring at Zeros body the only thing I can think of is when we first met.
The day was more than 12 years ago but it is perfectly etched in my memory. I was in Xon and it was the day I was to receive my first Shard from the Elders after four years of training. The ceremony wasn’t until that night but father and I were out selecting a dress for the occasion.
***
“Ha, ha, ha.” The children ran around the streets brushing past in hurried play. “We’ve gone to over a dozen stores and we haven’t found one yet. Why don’t I just wear my robes.” I pleaded my father as he shook his head and spoke humorously, “That is because you won’t let me spend more than 3 Tev on anything for you.” “You aren’t rich father and I don’t want you to spend too much on such a trivial thing.” “Nothing is too expensive for my little girl.” He continually repeated trying to get me to let up.
“This is the last store in the area, so how’s about at least trying one on?” Father begged as we stepped into the store. Searching the shelves I was shocked at the prices. 1500 Tev, 1750 Tev, 2300 Tev. My word these are all more expensive than the other stores. “I think we’ve found a winner.” Father holds up a beautiful light blue dress. Holding it close I can see silver thread woven in among the blue giving it a glitter as light hits it. “Try it on. For me.” Father knew I couldn’t say no to him when he frowned so I left for the changing room.
Stepping out I felt like a celebrity. “This is what it must feel like to be royalty.” I speak breathless turning in front of the mirror. “It is perfect. You look just like you mother when she was your age.” Fathers’ eyes began to tear. Taking the tag in hand I read it, “3200 Tev. Father you can’t buy this one. It is the most expensive one we’ve seen all day.” Smiling he confesses, “I already paid for it while you were putting it on.” “Father?” He looked at me before stepping up beside me, “You are my daughter and this is an important day. My little girl is becoming a fully certified White Mage under the Elders of Xon. It is a small price to pay to make it perfect.” Frowning I huff disappointedly before hugging him, “Thank you.”
Leaving the store we found a gathering crowd in the center of the square. Wondering what the fuss was about we approached. Father was never one to sit in the back of a show and he wasn’t about to start. “Excuse us!” he bellowed and the crowd parted. The closer we got to the center the more I realized that the crowd was a heroes welcome. I began to run searching for my target before leaping into his arms yelling, “Bishop!” Laughing he replies, “Reia! I though we’d find you here.” Stepping into view I see Lilith and I give her an equally big hug as she speaks, “It’s good to see you too.” Stepping back I ecstatically continue, “I missed you guys.” Together they answer, “We missed you.” Suddenly Bishops voice trails off as he stares over my shoulder. Looking I find father with surprise all over his face, “You two… Know each other?”
Bishop, Lilith, and I had decided long ago to not tell father about Bishop. Father was protective and he would have probably killed Bishop if he knew we were friends. Solemnly I answer, “Um… Yes.” Bishop possibly taking his life in his own hands interrupts, “Lord Maxite I have to confess. Reia, Lilith, and I have been friends for some time now.” Grinding his teeth father stares me down, “How long?” Looking to the ground I reply, “Well… I think it has been about 12 years.” “12 years?!” father exclaims. Looking about we realize we had begun to make a scene and father continues at a whisper, “Why didn’t you tell me all this time?” Looking him in the eye I bluntly answer, “If I had told you back then, you would have moved me again. You wouldn’t have approved of it. So we decided to keep it secret.” Taking a deep breath he replies, “It isn’t proper to keep secrets from your father like that.” Seeing my disappointment he tries to comfort me, “Well, if it is any consolation, I’d approve now.” Smiling we hug ending the argument.
Bishop again interrupts, “Umm… Lord Maxite you asked us to bring our friend from Viliton. Remember the great fighter. That is why we came looking for you here.” Lilith steps aside making the introduction, “Lord Maxite I’d like to introduce Zero.” Stepping forward he came to view. His eyes were a vibrant shade of blue that seemed to draw you in. His face was tanned but covered by his black hair. Father quickly speaks, “He doesn’t seem like much?” Bishop hesitates before explaining, “Well he isn’t the strongest but he makes up for it in speed. I mean with that sword of his, it’s like he is a ghost or something.” “Well lets see just how fast you are.”
Father instantly draws Shetiga and swipes across. Moving in a blur like state I can see Zero draw his sword, a metal clag sounds as I close my eyes. Before the sound can even begin to dissipate it is echoed. Opening my eyes I see father clutching Shetiga with both hands blocking Zeros attack. “Enough.” Father commands as he sheathes Shetiga. Zero follows suit before Bishop wraps his arm over Zeros head. Father breaths to calm himself before speaking, “Well that was quite impressive. I can’t say this officially but if you can do that in the selection trials then… Welcome to the Crimson Dagger.” Returning to me father continues, “Well I’m going to be late for a meeting with the Council if I linger much longer. I’ll see you tonight.” Hugging me he turns and walks away.
“Well that was scary.” Lilith says laughing. Bishop breathes deep and replies, “I thought he was going to rip my head off.” Interrupting I ask, “Hey are you guys going to be around tonight?” Bishop answers, “Of course. You think we’d miss our little sister becoming a White Mage?” Lilith answers Bishop, “We wouldn’t miss your ceremony for anything in the world.” Looking at Zero Bishop realizes we weren’t introduced, “Oh we forgot to introduce the two of you.” Lilith continues, “Reia, this is Zero.” Bishop jumps in, “And Zero this is Lord Maxite daughter. Speaking from recent experience I suggest you don’t hide your meeting from Lord Maxite.” Stepping forward I take Zeros hand introducing myself, “It is nice to meet you Zero. Umm, you were amazing back there. I’ve never seen anything like it.” Speaking for the first time his voice was clear but he was obviously trying to hide an accent, “Thanks. Bishop here has been working hard to prepare me for today.” Bishop chimes in, “Hey don’t be giving me all the credit. You worked a lot harder than me.”
Smiling I look back to Zero, “I’ve never heard of anyone with the name Zero before. Where might you be from?” Nervously stuttering Bishop intercepts my question before Zero could speak, “Hey look at the time. We’d better be off before we miss the Selection Trials.” Taking Zero by the shirt Bishop reefs him away. “The trials aren’t for another hour.” I explain as they walk away before Lilith yells, “We’ll meet you boys at the ceremony tonight.” Taking my arm Lilith leads me away from the square.
***
It wasn’t until years later that I learned that Bishop and Lilith believed Zero suffered from amnesia. They worried that people may see him as insane. I guess if someone told you that he was from another world and that he knew nothing of this one you might consider him insane, but Zero wasn’t crazy. Earth really does exist and he really did live there, Chris and Amanda were proof of that. Now Zero was dying. He proved what he had always told us and now after being home for only a short time he may die before ever going home again.
An hour passed before Mage Golin took us to a room to rest. “I’ve done all I can. It is up to him to survive the night. If he makes it till morning he should recover.” Mage Golin explains before I ask, “Can I stay with him?” Shaking his head he replies, “Your presence is not necessary. You are tired and it was a long day for you. I believe it best you sleep.” Closing the door I lay in the dark trying to keep awake but soon sleep took hold.
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