The burial had been a strange thing. Collin gazed out the window of the small Hailian hut, watching the waves roll up onto the beach. It had only been a few days since they arrived here. They had departed from the island quickly, in a boat left for them by Charon. From there they had gone directly to Hailia. Demus would have wanted to be buried there, they knew.

They had expected to arrive and bury him by themselves, but as they pulled up to the shore they noticed a crowd of people. Hailians had welcomed them ashore, taking them in and comforting them. It was odd, Collin thought. Before his travels, he had never seen more than a few Hailians together at one time. The only time they drew together these days were in haven places, such as Malibius, or Secreno.

The Hailians had taken care of the ceremonies and rites for a Hailian burial. Collin had never seen one before and had found it warming yet still very alien.

He was trying not to let himself think about Demus. Instead he was trying to think of the future. Though Minerva was not aggressive anymore, the war was still officially on in Area. He knew if he let things go it would eventually end, since Minerva had been the fuel of this war. Yet… How many more people would die before this war was declared over? He knew what he had to do; it was just the thought of doing it that scared him. The only thing that hardened his resolved was the thought of Demus’s death. He couldn’t let others die like that, just to bring about an end to this war. Not if he could end it himself. He stood up, leaving the small hut the Hailians had provided for him and his friends. There was no reason to say good-bye to Will and Tella, who were sleeping in the hut behind him. He would be seeing them soon.

“Minerva!” he called. Faintly a form appeared, looking down at him.

“Are you ready?” she asked. Collin nodded, not surprised she already knew his plan.

“Yes. Take me to Avrai, please.” He said. She nodded once, and together, they disappeared.

Will yawned and stretched, waking up slowly. The hut was peaceful and cool. Will didn’t want to move. The blankets were warm and fluffy adding to his reluctance. Yet, there was something in the back of his mind, calling to him. Slowly, Will obeyed it, sitting up and swinging his legs over the side of the bed and standing up. Collin seemed to already be up and around, there wasn’t any sigh of him. But Tella…

Tella still slept, in the bed across from his own. Will let his eyes linger on her relaxed and oblivious face. It was nice to see her like this.

Again, that feeling in the back of his mind tugged at him, making Will slowly turn his eyes away from her, and toward the door. He walked toward it, opening the door, and exited the small hut.

Fairien stood down on the beach, looking out across the water. The small waves, reached for his feet, but never seemed to touch him. Will walked slowly over the dunes, sliding down at points, until he reached the flat wet sand. Fairien didn’t turn around.

“What’s the deal with waking me up like that?” Will asked, trying to sound annoyed through a smile. Fairien closed his eyes and turned, a hint of a smile on his own lips.

“You were being lazy. You should have been up hours ago you know.” He said. Will crossed his arms and stared out to sea. Fairien had called him here with a purpose in mind. The fact that he had was being reluctant in expressing it was worrying Will. Fairien’s face darkened, catching a bit of Will’s thoughts. Will sighed.

“What it is?” he asked quietly. Fairien stared at the ground.

“We need to separate our spirits.” Fairien said dully. Will blinked.

“Oh.” He said. “… Yeah… I guess we can now… huh?”

“Yes.” Fairien said. “Azrael and Minerva will keep you stabilized so… you’ll be alright.” Will stayed silent for a moment more before saying,

“You know, it’s been fun. I… I really didn’t expect it to be but… You’ve made this whole adventure a lot better.”

“Thanks. You have too…” Fairien said. Will paused a moment before speaking again.

“Just out of curiosity… How long would I have to live if we stayed joined?” he asked. Fairien turned to him, and stared.

“There is no reason for me to answer that. We are separating.” He said coolly. Will thrust his eyes down.

“I… I mean I didn’t mean-”

“I know.” Fairien said. Will sighed.

“Then I guess… we may as well get it over with.” He said. Fairien closed his eyes.

“Okay.” He said. Will felt a strange coolness beginning in his stomach. He frowned, trying to ignore it.

That’s not anything… Just your imagination. He hasn’t started the separation yet… But as he thought it, the coldness began to spread. Will remembered back when they had first joined, how he had felt an overpowering fire, lighting through him and how it had burned so powerfully, before fading away. He realized that it had never stopped burning; he had only gotten used to it. He gasped, realizing that this coldness was only the absence of that fire. He wanted to scream for Fairien to stop- this icy coldness felt as though it was killing him-  yet he knew that it wasn’t…

Fairien shivered. He felt sick. The separation was complete now. Slowly Will lifted his head up to look at Fairien. They stared at each other, both noting the pail complexion of the other.

“So…” Fairien said after a moment.

“So.” Will repeated hollowly. The was an awkward silence, then slowly Fairien straightened up.

“It’s going to be strange… You know.” He said. Will nodded.

“Yes…” he agreed. There was another moment of silence.

“Umm… Just to let you know, Azrael and Minerva have destroyed the Mirror and the Staff.” Fairien continued. “We decided we didn’t want things that dangerous and powerful in physical form… however… The Sword.” He paused. “We can’t destroy that. At least not yet.” Will frowned and slowly lifted his hand to his chest.

“Why not?” he asked.

“It’s too much a part of you. If we destroy it… We would destroy you too.” Fairien said bitterly.

“I bet Minerva was for that.” Will said gloomily. Fairien smiled. It was true. Minerva had seen nothing wrong with killing Will in order to destroy the Sword. Luckily Azrael had agreed with Fairien.

“We’re going to wait.” Fairien said.

“Wait until I die?” Will asked. Fairien nodded uncomfortably. Will frowned.

“The sword is dangerous.” He said. “Especially with nothing to balance it.”

“Yes.” Fairien said. This was exactly why Azrael had proposed Will spend the rest of his life in Fairien’s sacred realm, that way the sword would be protected and sealed away from the rest of the world. Fairien opened his mouth to tell Will this, but stopped. Will noticed his pausing.

“What?” he asked. Fairien watched him. He knew if he proposed the idea, Will would go along with it. And to be truthful, Fairien would have liked nothing better than to have Will stay in his sacred realm. It was lonely there and Fairien was not looking forward to the empty days ahead. Life with Will around was never boring… Yet… Fairien frowned. To do that would deprive Will of his life. It was almost like killing him, taking him out of the world like that. He wouldn’t learn anything, he wouldn’t make new friends, or acquire new skills… Instead he would be imprisoned.

“Fairien?” Will asked, breaking Fairien’s thoughts once more. Fairien blinked.

“Sorry.” Fairien apologized. “It’s just that… Well, the sword isn’t active. It will sleep within you, so its safe.” This was true. Fairien had made sure Will couldn’t call it forth either on purpose or by accident. He didn’t have the power to. Will nodded.

“Okay.” He said.

“The point I guess…” Fairien said, “Is that we aren’t completely separated… You still have the sword in you… You see… So…” Will nodded. He understood.

“I’m going to miss you all the same.” He said. Fairien slowly nodded, embarrassed.

“I’ll miss you as well.” He said. Slowly, he stepped back. “I’ve… got to go. Good luck in your life.” He said. Will nodded slightly.

“See you around.” He said. Fairien was about to reply, telling Will that they probably wouldn’t be seeing each other again, but stopped. He smiled slightly.

“See you.” He said simply. And disappeared.

Tella awoke. She had been having a strange dream, but couldn’t remember it. That annoyed her. She rose, and was about to go get some water when she noticed she was alone.

Well wasn’t that typical. She frowned, realizing that she was in a bad mood.

She needed to go home. She needed to do so many things yet so many of them seemed distant in this peaceful place.

Where was Will? She thought. He didn’t seem to be around. She turned, about to walk to the window when she spotted someone watching her and jumped, letting out a small shriek of surprise. Fairien looked alarmed, as he stared back at her.

“I’m sorry!” He apologized immediately. He knew more then anything she would be angry that she had been surprised and that it had been so apparent. Tella glared at him, about to shout about how he should sneak up on people, when she stopped. There seemed to be something wrong with him, some kind of sadness perhaps. He noticed her watching him and said quietly,

“Will and I have just separated our spirits.”

“Oh…” Tella said unexpectedly. She blinked, wondering what she should say, if anything. Fairien shook his head, clearing his thoughts.

“Anyway, you need to go back to Betamy… Right?” he asked. Tella nodded slowly.

“Alright. Let’s go then…” Fairien said.

“Wait…” Tella said, glancing outside. “… Can’t I say good bye?”

“Collin is already gone… And Will… Give Will some time.” Fairien said. Tella sighed, looking down.

“I just wanted to tell him he’s always welcomed in Betamy… And the castle for that matter.”

“He knows that.” Fairien said soothingly. Tella’s shoulders drooped and she smiled slightly.

“I guess… I guess then I should get going.” She said. Fairien watched her a moment, then nodded.

“You have a bright future ahead of you Tella.” He said. She frowned.

“You can’t see the future, can you?” she asked. He laughed.

“Well, no. Not really.” He said.

“Then why did you-”

“I was being nice!”

“Well don’t be!” Tella shouted. They stared at each other, and then began to laugh. It felt wonderful to laugh like this, Tella reflected. It seemed so long ago, but really only a few months before she and Fairien had laughed like this all the time. Their future had been bright then too, but much more stable. They had imagined spending their lives together, ruling Betamy. Tella felt her laugh dying. Fairien’s eyes were on her again, watching her almost sadly. After a moment, he spoke,

“…You love Will, don’t you?” he asked. Tella jumped in surprise, and stared at him.

“What are you talking about?!” she asked indignantly. Fairien stared back, then smiled, shaking his head.

“Nothing. Sorry.” He said. Tella stared at the ground. She wanted to say something- anything… But nothing would come. Fairien was standing up.

“Ready to go back?” he asked. Shakily, Tella stood as well and nodded. Fairien smiled at her and touched her shoulder affectionately.

“Everything will be alright. I have faith in you… And, don’t worry about Will. He’ll find his own place… and who knows… That place may be with you.”

“Fairien, I do love you.” Tella said quietly.

“But it’s not the same as it was, is it?” he asked. Slowly, Tella shook her head.

“I’m sorry.” She said.

“Don’t be sorry. Love changed sometimes.” Fairien said. “And anyway, I would love to see you and Will together.”

“I never said I loved Will.” Tella said grumpily. Fairien smiled.

“Well, keep it in mind then.” He said. “In the mean time, you have a lot to do, but don’t worry, I’ll help you as much as I can. We’ll bring Betamy into peace again.” He said. Tella nodded vigorously. A purpose, she had a purpose again. When it all came down to it, that’s all she ever needed.

“Well then, lets go!”

And they disappeared.

The paths of the future spread out, ready to take on the changes that these people would make, for it always seemed to be them that would create these paths, that no one could ever anticipate happening.

And for that, everyone was thankful.

                This is the end of MOTW the first story. Thank you again for reading it and I hope you enjoyed it. I am planning on writing a sequel to finish this story and hopefully I have the beginnings of it up soon. Thank you to my reviewers, you support has helped a great deal in motivating me to hurry up and write this thing ^^. Bye!