Will gasped, despite himself, as the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Above Mahito a misty figure began to appear. Tella flinched, drawing back. As the details became clearer, they could see that it was a woman, with long blue tinted hair, which rolled out from her shoulders, swaying with her every move. Her feet touched the floor and she stared out at them, with a cold commanding gaze.

 “Greetings,” the woman said, “So you have come to see the Mind of the World? For what purpose?” they stared at her in silence. She shook her head.

“You’re all just wasting my time then.” She said, her expression darkening, “I find it sad that such a little group of mortals would come here, without a clue as to what they want to accomplish. Very sad… Very typical.” Her impassive demeanor gave her the appearance of being very tall. She shook her head.

“Poor little dears.” She said. “I suppose you will have to die prematurely, because of the stupidities of the Soul and Spirit.” They all tensed, unable to look away from this woman. Mahito seem tired, and broken, sitting next to her. She had apparently released him from her hold temporarily. His eyes were squeezed shut and his lungs were working quickly, taking advantage of the brief respite.

“… Minerva…” the wanderer said slowly. Her friends jumped, looking over to her in surprise.

“Wanderer!” Tella shouted happily. The wanderer pulled her upper body up, using her forearms as support. She closed her eyes, concentrating and began to speak. “What are… we doing here?” she asked slowly. To her companion’s surprise, they understood her.

 “That is not a question that I should answer.” Minerva said, after a pause, she sighed softly and closed her eyes, “It should instead come from the ones who sent you on this death quest.”

“It’s not a death quest!” Tella shouted, “…At least not yet.”

“‘Yet’, being the operative term.” Minerva said icily, turning away from them. “Why don’t you bring the Soul and Spirit here, I suppose that is what you are all here for. Other than that, I can see absolutely no purpose in your being here. You’re supposed to help in that, aren’t you wanderer?” the wanderer stared back at her blankly in confusion. Minerva continued, “It is for that reason that I have allowed your balance to become strong enough to support you… And it is why I have not killed all of your friends. Now, bring them here.”

“Bring them here?” Demus asked quietly. “You mean, summon them?”

“Why else would two members of royalty, a Hailian and a Betamian be here?” Minerva asked.

“… I can’t perform a summoning.” Demus said. “Azrael is dead.”

“I don’t think dead is quite the right term. You’re just making excuses.” Minerva said. “I don’t take excuses. Bring him or I’ll kill you. You don’t serve any other purpose.” She sighed, “I find it extremely annoying they would send you all here. Interesting selection at least. Azrael was always one for wisdom…”

“What do you mean?” Collin asked.

“Each of us is from a different country.” Demus said narrowing his eyes. Minerva nodded.

“A Betamian, an Arean, a Hailian, and a…” she trailed off as her eyes moved to Will, seeing him for the first time. She frowned, angrily and finished, “… An Iyokian.” Will felt himself falter as the woman in blue watched him closely. He tried not to move, least he give anything away. Within him, however, Will could feel Fairien becoming angrier and angrier.

Fairien, what’s wrong? Stop it or she’ll be able to feel your presence! Will thought to him.

Be quiet Will. Fairien told him sternly. Will quelled, not understanding Fairien’s anger and withdrawal. Fairien was of course aware of Will’s confusion, and felt a slight pang for it, but he ignored it, too intent on Minerva. She smiled darkly and moved her head slightly to the side.

Suddenly Will felt his mind spin off  into oblivion, whirling out of control, crushing his consciousness. He tried to cry out but nothing seemed to work within him anymore. He was slammed down into something hard. Noise came at him from all directions spurring panic and fear within him. Desperately Will tried to find Fareian amongst all the confusion. But for the first time since they had joined, Fairien seemed to be gone.

               

In truth, Fareian was not gone. He was searching desperately for a way to pull Will back from the oblivion the Minerva had spun him off into. She was playing with him. Fairien’s anger built at the very thought of it.

                “Will!” he called, finally spotting him. Will lay lifeless, bared against the fury of his own mind, turned against him, within his subconscious. Drawing up his own power, Fairien formed a shield around Will and pulled him back into reality, despite the screams of anger that surrounded him.

                Will felt warm and relaxed. Someone held him firmly supporting his frame.

                “Fairien…?” Will mumbled opening his eyes. The person holding him stiffened. Will frowned.

                Wait a minute… He thought blearily and opened his eyes. Tella stared at him, her face bent over his own. Will gasped tensing up.

                “W-What did you say, Will?” Tella asked quietly, her voice an amazed yet fearful whisper. She had heard him. Will searched madly for an answer, but none came, and Fairien didn’t seem able to provide anything either. 

 

                “How dare you.” Everyone turned at the sound of the cold stinging voice. Will pulled himself out of Tella’s arms and sat in front of her, watching Minerva with wide eyes. Minerva glared at Will, past Will, into Fairien.  “That being is my property! How dare you try and take it as your own!” she shouted angrily. Will gulped, fearfully. Then, within his chest, Will felt a warm fire begin to push its way outward into reality. He sucked in his breath as Fareian materialized in front of him, his back to Will and the others. Tella gasped, staring wide-eyed at the young man that stood before them. She tried to speak, to call out to him, but her lungs didn’t seem to want to work and her mind was floundering in confusion.

                “Fairien, what are you doing?” Will murmured softly, momentarily forgetting Tella and everyone else’s presence.

                “And how dare you, call him property.” Fairien hissed at her, ignoring Will. “He is a creation, as are all of these people here!”

                “And I am his creator.” The Mind of the Planet said dangerously, “Therefore, he is my property.”

                “You gave up the right as his creator when you abandoned Will and all of the Iyokian people!” Fairien shouted furiously. Minerva smiled smugly.

                “You always were one for quarreling over insignificant matters Michael. No matter. I don’t care if you choose to try and take that piece of trash. I will have something far more pure in my possession.” She glanced down at Mahito. Fairien bit his lip fighting back words, letting his anger build higher. Will shivered at its force.

“What do you mean Minerva?” Fairien spat.

“It’s not yet time. The Soul should be here. Where is he?”

                “You should know.” Fairien growled, “You’ve destroyed his foundings even more than you have mine.”

“In other words, he is either too much of a coward or too weak to come here, to my sacred country.” The Mind of the Planet said. Will was watching this argument staring intensely at both Minerva and Fairien. He jumped slightly as he felt a hand on his shoulder and froze, realizing that his friends were standing behind him. Slowly, Will turned to face them.

“Will, what’s…” Demus asked softly.

“It’s Fairien….” Tella whispered. “What’s going on here?” Fairien paused, hearing them behind him. He turned away from Minerva and looked back at the small group. Will stared helplessly around, not really knowing what to say. Slowly, Fairien let his eyes meet Tella’s. She stared at him, her eyes showing her confusion.

“Wait…” she murmured, straitening her body. “You’re… Michael, the Spirit of our World?” she asked quietly. Slowly, Fairien nodded.

“But I am also Fairien Bayard.” He said. Tella blinked, still staring at him.

“I don’t understand.” She said finally.

“Excuse me,” Minerva said quietly, “Michael, I’m afraid that I lack patience, as I am sure you remember.” Fairien looked once more at Tella apologetically, then turned back to Minerva.

“Then you want to finish this?” he asked quietly. She nodded.

“I want you dead.” She said. “And I want Azrael dead.” Fairien stared at her in anger.

“Why?!” he shouted.

“It would make no difference if I explained it to you, and I sure even if I did you wouldn’t understand. And then still, the fact would remain that you must die.”   

 “Minerva!” Fairien shouted, then stopped, and glared at her. He slowly nodded, “Alright.” He said. “You want a fight to the death? Then that’s what we’ll do.”

“Wait!” the wanderer shouted pulling herself up and standing to face them. Minerva and Fairien paused, looking over at her. The wanderer shook her head sadly, “Please, don’t! This world needs both of you. You can’t just die!”

“We have no choice.” Fairien said softly as he turned slightly. “Will.” he called. Will stood up and walked to him, leaving his friends behind. They watched him in silence.

“Will, I’m sorry but…” Fairien began. Will nodded.

“It’s time.” He said quietly. Minerva smiled, pulling back into Mahito.

“What are you two doing?!” Tella shouted. Fairien and Will ignored her. Minerva shook her head at them.

“You don’t stand a chance,” she said. “I have a perfect vessel and a talisman, which is fatal to you Michael.” Mahito smiled softly, holding out his hand. A small pike appeared, winding into his hand. Mahito attached the mirror into the pike and held it arrogantly. Fairien frowned slightly and stepped back.

“Well, we aren’t completely powerless.” He said. The wanderer looked at him.

“What are you talking about? You don’t even have a talisman, and I won’t give you my staff so that you can destroy each other!” she shouted. Fairien regarded her coldly.

“Don’t talk about things you don’t understand wanderer. I won’t be needing your talisman at all.” He turned his gaze to Will. “Are you ready?” he asked. Will nodded, stepping forward and holding his hands out.

“Will?” Tella murmured. Minerva watched him, an almost puzzled expression on her face. Will took a deep breath and began.

“I was created by the Mind. I am filled with the Spirit. A joint creation in myself.” He raised his voice to speak the last line.

“You!” Minerva shouted suddenly realizing.

“I myself am the Sword Talisman!” Will shouted as a blinding light grew from his body and exploded out over the roof.  

 

 

Tella felt herself being pushed down. She cried out and as she fell, hitting the ground. Demus, the Wanderer and Collin were piled around her, with Demus making an attempt to shield all of them from the blinding light. Tella gingerly opened her eyes, squinting. She could make out two silhouettes and vaguely she could see the source of the light.

Will stared at the object floating before him. He knew it was emanating a tremendous amount of light, but he didn’t seem to have any trouble looking at it. It was impressive, and to think, it was a part of him…

“You understand now?” he heard Fairien ask him quietly. Will nodded. Slowly, he brought his hand up and touched the hilt.

A scream of rage filled the air and Will was suddenly aware of a figure, rushing at him. Mahito charged him, the pike aimed directing at Will’s chest. Will shouted, grabbing the sword and rolled away from Mahito dodging the attack. Mahito turned, snarling at Will and Fairien.

“How could you do that?!” he shouted. “Our sword! You corrupted our sword!” Fairien scowled at her angrily.

“Shut up Minerva.” He said. Mahito growled, lowly.

“I am curious however, to how exactly you managed such an atrocity.” He said.

“We are joined.” Will said, standing, holding the sword before him. 

“The part of myself joined to Will is the talisman.” Fairien said.

“And since he is an object of our joint power, the talisman and the mortal became one…” Minerva mused. “Hm. Not for long.” She said, forcing Mahito to jump, holding the pike out ready to stab as he came down. Will gasped, raising the sword above his head, meeting Mahito’s pike with a loud clang, which echoed across the roof.

“How can this be happening…” Tella murmured to her friends as they watched.

“So… That’s why…” the wanderer said.

“Fairien was with us the whole time…” Tella said hollowly. “And Will is…”

“They’re going to kill each other.” Demus said softly. “We can’t let them do this.”

“What can we do?” Collin asked. The wanderer shook her head.

“Nothing.” She said looking down at her staff. “My talisman won’t work here, Minerva’s power is too strong.”

“If we go near them we’ll be killed.” Collin murmured.

                Will gritted his teeth as his arms shook from the strain of holding Mahito back. Mahito snarled, scrapping the pike’s bladed end down the edge of Will’s sword. Will shouted, falling back, hitting the ground hard.

                “Will!” Fairien shouted. Will sat, sprawled before Mahito, too frightened to move. Mahito smiled, showing his teeth as he moved in for the kill.

                “Fairien!” Tella shouted, “Help him!” Fairien turned his head quickly, stared at her for a moment, then cursed, turning back.

                “Last time.” He murmured, and disappeared. Will’s friends gasped, but couldn’t stare too long, because Mahito was raising his pike. Will squeezed his eyes shut as Mahito laughed, bringing the pike down. Will’s body convulsed once, his eyes snapping open. His hand grasped the sword and his arm shot up, hitting Mahito’s pike blade with enough forced to make Mahito stumbled back. Mahito growled softly, eyeing Will. Will stared back, as he slowly rose. There was something much more solemn in Will’s expression now. He stood with his back strait and his head titled slightly downward as he gazed at Mahito.

                “He’s been possessed.” Collin whispered.

                “By Fairien…” Tella said. Will bent his knees slightly, putting himself into a lunging position. Mahito shook his head, grinning.

                “So, you’ve finally joined me.” He said. Will narrowed his eyes and leaped forward, his sword arching perfectly over his head, bring it down for a clean sweep. Mahito jumped to the side, lowering his head, dodging the attack. Will’s body twisted in mid air, landing to face Mahito, and meet blades with him. They continued to fight, neither one landing a blow. Collin frowned.

                “Mahito’s not trying…” he said. Demus shook his head.

                “Something’s going on…” he murmured, “Will is being pushed back… Back towards the door we came in.”

                “Why would Mahito want him there?” the wanderer asked. Demus frowned sadly.

                “There is a wall there. Mahito wants him against a wall. That way, he can corner him. That’s when he’ll kill him.” Demus finished. Tella gasped, shivering.

                “We can’t let that happen!” she said gripping her staff.

                “Idiot! You want to get killed?” Collin asked angrily. Tella scowled and shook her head.

                “Don’t get near them Tella, I’m sure Minerva would think nothing of killing you if you get in the way.” Demus told her sternly.

                “I’m not going to get near them!” Tella said, “But we can’t let Will get cornered! Let’s help him out!”

                Fairien watched Mahito’s face, trying to read something from his expression. He had always been able to win against opponents by reading their expressions and using his skill to tap into their weaknesses. However, all the opponents he had faced in the past had been human. He shivered, realizing that Minerva would let nothing slip by. She had no weaknesses. Mahito smiled, hitting the long handle of his pike on the ground.

                “Enough of this.” He said softly. “I’m tired of dealing with you.” Fairien gasped, watching the mirror attached to the pike begin to glow. An involuntary shiver spread through his body as he realized that Minerva was going to use it on him.

                Suddenly from behind Minerva there were shouts. Tella raised her staff charging it. Demus had retrieved his sword hilt and held it aloft with Tella’s staff. Collin brought his hands together and the wanderer lifted her staff up. Mahito frowned, turning slightly towards them.

                “Stop it!” Fairien shouted, “Don’t draw attention to yourselves, idiots!” but they didn’t heed his warning. Mahito growled in annoyance as a strong mass of energy built at the end of their staves. Tella looked down, over at Will and shouted,

                “Move!”

                Fairien frowned, but decided to follow her advice, shifting his position as much as he was able with Mahito standing right there. The energy formed into a single point before exploding out into a beam of white light. It shot past Mahito and Will, hitting the wall directly behind Will. Fairien felt himself thrown into the air, landing a few feet away from where he had been. Quickly, he picked himself up, jerking his head around, trying to find Mahito, least he be unprepared for an attack. There was dust in the air and chunks of rock and brick littered the area around him now. Finally, through the debris, he spotted Mahito. However, Mahito was not currently concerned with Fairien. He glared furiously at Tella and the others. Fairien, looked behind him, realizing that he had almost been cornered against a wall, but, thanks to Will’s friends, it was no longer a problem.

                They just saved my life… Fairien thought slowly.  Of course, it may not do any good… He watched Mahito’s face as it became a mask of fury. He screamed angrily, charging the group, his pike held in front of him, ready to skewer anyone unluckily enough to be caught on its end.

                Fairien leapt into the air, intending on flying in front of Mahito. However as he moved through the air, he felt himself falling back down. He cursed, hitting the ground, only a few feet away from where he had jumped.

                I forgot Will can’t fly… he thought and began running after Mahito, knowing he would be too late. Tella and the others had scattered, naturally, but that wouldn’t be enough to save them. His nearest target was the wanderer.

                “Stop it!” Fairien shouted, “Minerva!” he threw his body forward, recklessly, trying to reach Mahito in time. Minerva smiled, hearing him draw nearer. She pulled Mahito’s body into a sharp turn, swiping the pike through the air behind him. Fairien screamed as it sliced into his side. The wanderer turned at his scream, gasping. Fairien fell back, grasping his wound, staring at the blood seeping into his shirt. It wasn’t deep, it had only grazed his side, but it was bleeding profusely. He turned his eyes to Mahito and the wanderer behind him. The wanderer nodded, realizing that he was all right and moved back, running away from Minerva.

                “Will is going to have a scare from that.” Fairien growled. Mahito raised an eyebrow and shook his head.

                “I’m tired of this.” He said. “Are you ready for it to end?” he hit the pike’s handle on the ground, snapping the lid to the mirror open. There was no time to react.

Fairien gasped as he felt himself burning. He jerked his eyes away from the mirror, closing them and turning his head. He could feel Will panicking within him, but mostly he could only think one thought.

I’m dying, I’m dying, I’m dying….