Will was almost asleep. He had curled up in front of a tree and was breathing drowsily, trying to keep warm. Fairien watched him silently from across the clearing from his perch on the low branch of a tree. He slide out of the tree and softly, walked over to Will. His steps were absolutely silent, but none the less, when he sat down next to Will, Will knew he was there. Will opened his eyes and looked up at Fairien and began to rise to a sitting position.

“No, no, don’t let me disturb you.” Fairien said quietly. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“… I wasn’t asleep.” Will said softly, leaning his back against the tree behind him. “I wanted to talk to you.” Fairien gazed at him questioningly.

“Oh?” he asked. Will nodded.

“It’s just that…” he laughed, “I didn’t really have anything to talk about.” Fairien smiled and shook his head.

“Will… you are unique.” He said.

“Well, there is one thing. The villagers of this town wouldn’t let me in. Said they didn’t like me. I was just wondering if you knew why?”

“Hmm?” Fairien turned his gaze from Will, over toward the light of the village. “Oh. That’s Azrael’s territory. I’m not really suppose to go in there. Its an extension of his sacred realm.”

“Sacred realm?” Will asked. Fairien looked at him shaking his head again.

“You really know nothing of theology.” He said.

“Shut up! Where would I have learned theology?!” Will cried. Fairien shrugged.

“Well then lowly mortal, I shall tell thee what thoust desire to knoweth.”

“Now you’re just making fun of me.” Will grumbled. Fairien smiled and looked out into the darkness.

“We each have sacred realms. They’re the place where… where we awakened, or were born, I guess you could say. Anyway, these spots have a very high concentration of our power and we are able to control that area pretty well. We can admit whom we want and keep out whomever we don’t want. Azrael’s sacred realm is actually Malibius. He chose to have a city in his sacred realm.”

“So what’s this place?” Will asked. “You said it was an extension of his realm but I don’t understand. He couldn’t have awakened in two places, could he?”

“No. This place is just a small pocket of his power that occurred because of…” Fairien paused. “Because this place held the Mirror talisman, an object of joint power between Azrael and Minerva.”

“Aah, Minerva… That’s the Mind of our World?” Will asked. Fairien nodded.

“The Mirror stayed here for thousands of years, but when Minerva left Iyokia, Azrael moved it to Malibius, away from Area, to a place where he had more power to protect it.

“I see. And now Collin’s got it?” Will asked. Fairien nodded.

“All the talismans are coming together it seems.”

“… Demus and Tella said there was a Sword talisman made between you and Minerva.” Will said.

“Yes. There was.” Fairien said.

“What happened to it?” Will asked. Fairien didn’t answer right away.

“It’s around. I guess it will come when it’s needed.” He said.

“Oh…” Will nodded. “Hey, where’s your sacred realm?” he asked.

“It’s in Northern Betamy. There isn’t much there but my strong hold and some woods. It’s a really pretty place.” He said smiling. “Maybe I’ll take you there one day.”

“Really?” Will asked. “I’d like that. It sounds nice.” They sank into silence, but it was a nice silence, rather than an awkward one. Will watched Fairien from the corner of his eye and leaned back against the tree. He was just thinking how nice the night air felt when Fairien spoke.

“Will… Back at the Arean base… with the dogs…” he began. Will tensed up remembering the carnage.

“Fairien-” he started but Fairien interrupted.

“I possessed you.” He said softly. Will stared at him, his lips parting in surprise.

“That’s…” he struggled to speak, but found he couldn’t.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t think of anything else to do.” Fairien said quietly. “I’m so very sorry. I didn’t mean for you to wake up like that…” he sighed angrily. “I really wish I hadn’t joined you now.”

“Why?” Will asked surprised. Fairien looked at him as though he were crazy.

“Why? Because I’m messing up your life! Of all the deities you got stuck with the stupid one who screws up everything…”

“Fairien…” Will said, “That’s not true! You’ve been a big help to me, and this group! We couldn’t have made it out of that Arean base without your help! And I would have been dead at least twice over without your help…” he paused.

“It doesn’t matter.” Fairien said darkly, resting his chin on the top of his knees.

“What do you mean? Of course-”

“No. You’re going to die. All of you are.” He said miserably. Will blinked at him in shock.

“Wha-What do you mean?” he asked.

“Minerva will kill all of you… Though, I’ll probably end up killing you first.” He said. Will trembled, staring at him with wide eyes.

“What did you say?” he asked. Fairien buried his head into his arms and pulled his knees closer to his chest.

“This joining… Azrael said it would kill you.” He said. “And what’s worse… I knew… I knew from the beginning, but I ignored it… I thought I could handle it. Thought I could keep you alive.”

“Fairien!” Will cried out. He bit his lip and hunched his shoulders slightly. “… Well-” he began softly, but Fairien interrupted.

“And don’t you dare tell me it will be alright! It won’t…”  he said and buried his face further. Will swallowed, taking in everything he had heard.

“…I don’t know about what Azrael said… but I feel fine. I told you, the joining hasn’t hurt me at all. You said it was something that had never been done before, so how do you know it will kill me?” he asked. Fairien sighed.

“It’s unbalancing you.” He said. “Your spirit is much to strong. You’re mind seems to be holding out fine but your soul is losing strength… If it dies…”

“It won’t.” Will promised. “Couldn’t you have Azrael help me? Could he heal my soul?”

“Azrael is angry at me... Much as he tries to hide it.” Fairien said. “He might help you out, but then you mind would start failing. And you aren’t getting any help from Minerva… If it weren’t for her I could separate form you now!”

“What do you mean?” Will asked.

“For me to separate from you, we would need to monitor all of the forces within you and keep them balanced. If I suddenly leave, your spirit might start dying, or your mind or soul could become too powerful and drive you insane… The only way for us to separate is to have me, Azrael and Minerva keep all your forces balanced…”

“But Minerva wants to kill us?” Will asked. Fairien nodded.

“Why?” he asked. Fairien shook his head.

“It’s a long story… Can I tell you later…? I’m really tired.” He said. His voice seemed stretched thin and weary. Will nodded with concern in his eyes. Fairien lay down and sighed, drawing his cape around him. Will looked down on him. Somehow Fairien stuck him as looking very much like a child right then, curled up, pulling a blanket over himself defensively. His face though, it looked so very troubled. Will sighed softly and laid down net to Fairien, still watching his companion’s weary face.

 “Ahiel gana, Fairien.” He said softly, speaking in Iyokian. Fairien opened his eyes slightly and smiled.

“Good night to you too Will.” he said and closed his eyes again. Will closed his eyes as well, and in a few minutes he was asleep. Fairien opened his eyes and watched Will sleep.

So peaceful… I don’t understand you Will… I violate you, and you still hold out your trust to me. I tell you I’m going to kill you and you tell me that everything will work out fine… How can you be so optimistic? Is it because you just don’t know any better? Because you don’t fully understand what’s going on?…  I… can’t do that. Not anymore.

His soul is calling for you…

Fairien felt tears pricking his eyes. Why had Azrael had to say that?… It didn’t make any sense. Why did Will want him? Why did he need him? Fairien wiped away the tears and sighed, trying to let himself sleep.

His soul is calling for you.

 

The next morning the wanderer, Collin, Demus and Tella prepared to leave the village. They all gather their bags together, except for Collin, who sat in the corner. Tella glanced over at him. He seemed distracted by something.

“Hey, what’s with you?” she asked. Collin frowned and clutched his chest, taking out the mirror that hung around his neck. Demus stopped what he was doing and stared.

“Is something wrong?” he asked.

“It’s just that… The mirror, it keeps going hot and cold… Just flashes… It’s strange… It’s never done this before.” Demus frowned, moving foreword. As he did there was a pounding on the door.

“Let me in! Let me in!” Came Danae’s voice from outside. The wanderer moved quickly and opened the door.

“What’s wrong?” she asked. Danae was breathing heavily and her hair was a mess.

“The new! It’s horrible! Come outside!” she cried and ran off again. Collin jumped to his feet and followed the small group, running to the village square. A crowd had already gathered and were looking fearfully to the stage area where Dane stood, surrounded by two other older Hailians. As soon as she saw them she began.

 

Fairien jerked awake gasping. Will, awakened by his suddenly movements opened his eyes and stared at Fairien.

“Hey, are you alright?” he asked. Cold sweat stood out on Fairien forehead as he shook his head.

 

“… How could this happen?” the wanderer asked wide-eyed.

“But Malibius! It- It was suppose to be a sacred place of Azrael, where no one unwanted could enter!” Tella cried. Danae bowed her head.

“I don’t know how this is possible… It should never have happened…” she closed her eyes, her voice taking on a darker tone, “All I know is… That a little over a month ago, an Arean entered the holy walls for the first time in history.” She said, lifting her head looking down on Collin. The crowd turned to stare at him. Collin gasped softly and shrank back.

“Danae!” Demus shouted. “You know what your implying could never be true!” she glared back at him.

“All I know is… He is weak.” She said. “And… He is Arean. He has loyalties to Area.”

“Danae…” the wanderer said softly. “Please, don’t say things like that… this is terrible, what’s happened to Malibius… But you can’t blame Collin.”

“Besides, Collin couldn’t have contacted anyone!” Tella shouted. “He’s been with us the whole time!” Danae glared at her.

“We don’t know that. Besides, he may not have had to. We don’t know what could have happened.”

“Exactly! You don’t know what happened!” Tella shouted. “So you’re just guessing! You think just because you’re the big ruler of this little village what you say is automatically the truth, and you,” she spoke to the crowd, “You believe her no matter what!”

“Tella…” Demus warned. “Stop. You’ve said enough. More than enough.” Tella glared out over the crowd as she allowed herself to be lead away. The wanderer took Collin by the shoulder and steered him back along the path they had come from. He looked mournful down at the ground and clutch the bulge over his chest.

“It’s gone cold…” he said softly.

 

The group packed up quickly and with minutes left the village. No villagers met them on their way out, and they saw no more of Danae. They found Will sitting in the clearing, leaned against a tree looking off into space with a strange expression. Upon seeing them he stood up and read their faces.

“Something terrible has happened, hasn’t it?” he asked.

 

They traveled for the most part in silence that day. When they camped, they camped almost at the foot of the Arean wall. They could see lit torches of guards on duty, but none of the group had the physical or mental strength to attempt forming a plan to get past the wall.

They sat in camp in the same heavy silence they had carried all day. Tella idly offered everyone food, most of which was refused. No one was very hungry. They couldn’t lit a fire. Will slunk off from the group, resuming his old habit of solitude at night while the other brooded on unspoken thoughts.

“I don’t understand how I did it… But she’s right. I must have…” Collin said softly. “It’s too coincidental.”

“That’s bull.” Demus growled. “You didn’t do anything and you know it.”

“That’s right.” Tella joined in. Collin looked up at her through the darkness and smiled half heartily.

“Wow… You actually believe in me Tella…” he tried to laugh but trailed off into an awkward silence.

“… Well, so?” she muttered. “You may be responsible for a whole lot of other stuff, and by no means do I like Areans at all but… I just know you didn’t do this. That stupid girl was being illogical.” They trailed off in silence until the wanderer spoke.

 

Will walked silently through the woods. He knew exactly where he was going, and what he would find. He stopped at the edge of a small clearing and looked on. Fairien kneeled in silence, looking upward toward the sky.

“I can’t find him Will.” he said softly. “I’ve always been able to find him.” Will drew nearer silently and sat down beside him.

“Is he dead?” Will asked. Fairien’s shoulders tightened and he lowered his head, squeezing his eyes shut. He paused a moment silently shaking.

“She killed all his children.” He said finally, his voice breaking as he spoke, “How could she do this?!” Will held his breath, feeling the deep pain throbbing through Fairien. Fairien bowed his head again and let his body trembling.

“Malibius was the only thing keeping him going. That small concentration of his power, it gave him enough foundings to exist. But she… attacked him, knowing his power was too weak to defend against any attack!… Because he gave away the talisman. That provided him with enough power to protect Malibius, his sacred realm… how could she invade him like that?! Ohh…” he moaned, “You don’t understand Will, what a private place our sacred realms are… It’s like our inner most soul…” he gritted his teeth, raising his voice, “And she just… butchered his!” Fairien screamed. Will watched him, his eyes sad with an edge of horror, from what Fairien was describing.

“I’ve always been able to feel him…” Fairien whispered, on the edge of tears. “And now I’m alone…” Will watched him a moment then squeezed his eyes shut and pushed his head against Fairien’s shoulder, grasping his arm.