“She used the talisman on him!” Tella shouted. They watched Will fell to his knees, hunkering over grabbing his head.
“He’s dying…” Demus whispered. The wanderer’s eyes widened in horror.
“This is my fault…” she murmured. Her friends didn’t seem to hear her however. If only he hadn’t looked in… She frowned a moment, wondering if Will and Fairien could still be saved.
Perhaps if the mirror could be closed… Or is the damage already done? She shivered, deciding that if there was a way to close it, she was going to do it… Though, outright approaching Mahito seemed like a death wish. As she thought this, the atmosphere changed around the wanderer. Everything seemed to slow down and take on a brownish golden hue. The wanderer felt the air in her lungs and released it, empting herself. Her eyes were on the mirror, though, she didn’t seem to be affected by it. Slowly her eyes narrowed and lid tipped, upward, gradually lifting, and closing.
Mahito stood very still, staring forward. He made no move as the mirror closed.
“What’s happening to Mahito?” Demus asked. “Look at him…” they watched as Mahito’s body stiffened and began to shake. “Something’s wrong with him. Is the mirror affecting him?”
“No.” the wanderer said. “It’s Minerva.” she closed her eyes, “She and Mahito are not a perfect union. Their existence together is flawed, and its killing Mahito.” The wanderer shook her head sadly. “Nothing can be done.”
Fairien felt tears spring to his eyes as the pain gnawed at him. It wasn’t time! He tried to breath, but found that he couldn’t. Everything was slowly fading out, even the stabbing pain. His mind numbly flickered, old memories boiling up to the surface. All the hundreds of years he had lived through flashed in a single second, mixing in with the memories from his mortal life.
“I have to go Tella. If I turn
down this chance, even the slightest one that I might improve our country’s
future, then how could I live with myself?”
“Don’t
be foolish. If you want to improve this country’s future, then stay here. You
can’t do anything for us if you die.”
But he was dying. Truly dying now. He remembered dying as a mortal. It hadn’t hurt like this.
“Minerva
has left us.”
“She’s done
more than leave us! She’s trying to kill us! Can’t you feel it?”
“…Yes.”
“You know
she’s more powerful than us.”
“Yes.”
“What will
we do?”
“I don’t
know.”
Fairien had fought then, even when Azrael had not. Azrael… He was gone now. So was Minerva. They had all left him and now…
Now he was dying. Dying alone…
“You’re not
completely alone.”
Fairien sighed, wishing his mind would just shut off and stop bring up all these old memories. He was tired. But something was nudging him, trying to get his attention.
“Fairien…!” someone was calling for him. He ignored the feeling, pushing it aside. However, it doubled its efforts, pushing into his consciousness, demanding his wakefulness. Fairien slowly felt himself returning, the pain lessening, and his mind awakening. Something was around him, pulling him back. Something warm.
“Will?” he said softly. Suddenly Fairien was aware of another presence looming around them. It coiled back, and before Fairien could react, it struck into Will, pounding him back down, scattering him into nothingness.
Fairien’s eyes snapped open and he felt his body again, or rather Will’s. He moved, gripping the Sword and lifted himself to his feet. Directly ahead of him stood Mahito.
Anger flooded Fairien as his mind ceased to function. He could only feel fury toward Minerva for what she had just done to Will. He leapt forward, shooting across the roof, pulling his sword in front of him, aiming it at Mahito. Mahito made no reaction.
Screaming, Fairien thrust the blade into Mahito’s shoulder, missing his true target in his blindness. Mahito gasped in pain, falling backward, his eyes finally focusing on Fairien. He groaned softly, and with a wump, landed on the floor. Fairien stood over him, pushing the sword in farther, jerking it around, then pulling it out readying the final blow.
Will’s mind slowly cleared from the darkness it had been in. He knew he had been with Fairien and then something… Something had knocked him away. He shook himself, as much as that was possible with no physical body. Vague senses of things were coming to him. Sound, and flashes of color and emotion. He realized he was feeling what was going on in the outside world. Concentrating he pulled himself closer to the feelings, and suddenly, found himself able to see through his own eyes. There was the roof, and the sky…
And Mahito.
“Fairien…!” Tella shouted in horror.
“Stop it!” the wanderer pleaded. “Stop it!” Demus and Collin watched in silence. They knew this person was not Will, but it was still so strange to see such an expression of pure hatred in Will’s eyes.
Fairien studied Mahito’s face, realizing that if he killed Mahito now, Minerva would die with him. They were joined too closely at the moment for Minerva to escape Mahito’s death. It would scatter her power to the wind and she would be nothing more than a disembodied force. Justice, he deemed, since she had done the same to Azrael.
“You wanted an end Minerva.” He growled, pulling his sword up, aiming carefully for Mahito’s heart. Mahito’s face twisted into a mask of terror, as Minerva reached the same conclusion Fairien had. Fairien narrowed his eyes, and pulling back, swung down with all of his strength.
Will watched in horror as his body moved, bent on its kill. It was true; he could not deny that there were reasons Mahito needed to die. He knew all of that, but… As he watched Mahito’s face, stare up at him in terror, he could help but pity this person. Mahito had said he was created for one purpose only- to be a vessel for Minerva. What would it feel like to know you were created to be a sacrifice?
Fairien felt the sword tip plunge downward, until it stopped hitting something hard. His first thought was that he had gone through Mahito’s body and had hit the floor, but as Fairien looked down he gasped, realizing that that was not the case at all. Mahito still stared up at him, the sword tip suspended in the air, an inch above his chest. Fairien tried to move, but found that he couldn’t. He gasped, thinking that Minerva must have some kind of power over him. But, no. She couldn’t do that… So what…
And then Fairien felt something within him, something very familiar. Someone was holding him back, locking all his muscles in place and struggling to take control again.
“Will…” he murmured in disbelief.
Fairien shuddered, feeling himself over powered and pushed down and out of control. Will stood again, holding the sword, in control of his own self now. He looked down, seeing Mahito staring up at him. Mahito’s face twisted into a small smile of triumph, but it was short lived. He gasped, squeezing his eyes shut in pain, as Minerva’s spirit slipped out of his own. Mahito’s eyes opened again and he was himself, staring upward into Will’s face.
“Idiot!” Fairien shrieked, grabbing Will from behind, forcing his arms into action. Will gasped, bracing himself and fighting against Fairien.
“We can kill her now!” Fairien shouted. “We can end all of this suffering!”
“NO!” Will screamed, his face growing red from the strain.
“WILL!” Fairien screamed desperately fighting. Will pulled himself out of Fairien’s grip, tossing the sword away. He turned, facing Fairien.
“It won’t do any good anyway.” Will said catching his breath. “Minerva has left him.” Fairien froze, and slowly turned to look at Mahito. It was true. Mahito was nothing but himself now, lying there, bleeding. Minerva was gone. Slowly, Fairien turned his eyes back to Will, staring at him in disbelief and pain.
“We could have…” he murmured. “But… you…” Will felt his body shake, and was suddenly aware that he had no energy left. He sunk to the floor, turning away, trying not to face Fairien. He squeezed his eyes shut, feeling tears growing in his eyes.
“I’m sorry.” He whispered miserably. Fairien stared at him a moment more, then disappeared, leaving them alone.
“Will!” Tella shouted, running to him, deeming it finally safe to approach him. The others followed, more slowly, frightened by what they had seen. Tella pulled Will up, leaning him against her body, trying to examine the cut in his side. Will’s head rolled down as he lost consciousness. Tell bit her lip, worried.
Collin stood on the outside of the group, and slowly, turned his gaze to the figure lying a few feet away. Mahito’s eyes opened and he looked over at Collin, realizing that he was being watched. They stared at each other a moment in silence.
“You don’t deserve death.” Collin murmured. “You should live with your pain. Death is too easy for you.” Mahito’s eyelids lowered slightly.
“I know.” He said. Collin strode over to him and picked up his pike, which had fallen by his side. He fingered it, glaring down at Mahito. By now, the others had stopped, and were watching Collin.
“Will you give it to me?” Mahito asked softly. Collin bit his lip, tears springing to his eyes. He let out a short shriek of anger and began to scream,
“You don’t deserve it!”
Mahito merely nodded sadly and closed his eyes. Collin’s hands shook as he jerked the pike up, and brought it down, plunging it into Mahito’s chest. Mahito’s eyes snapped open, then squeezed shut in pain, his breaths coming quickly. Collin’s knees shook and he collapsed, leaning against the pike, pushing it further, deeper. He opened his eyes, and slowly looked down at Mahito.
“Now… We’re even.” He whispered. Mahito gazed up at him sadly, then closed his eyes…
and died.
Collin pulled himself up and stood with his back to his friends. They stared at him in stunned silence, no one knowing what to say. Collin slowly turned and stepped toward them, his face turned down and strangely expressionless.
“Collin?” Demus asked softly as he stepped forward. Collin stared up at him a moment, then bowed his head, pushing his face into Demus’s side. Slowly, Demus brought his hands around and rested them on Collin’s back.
“I murdered.” Collin said softly.
“…He was already dying Collin.” Demus said soothingly.
“Yes. You only ended his pain.” The wanderer added quietly.
“I murdered.” Collin said again.
They stood for a moment longer, before Collin pulled himself away from Demus and looked down at Tella and Will. As he did, the roof shook beneath their feet, groaning.
“What’s happening?” Tella shouted, clutching Will’s body. The dark atmosphere around them began to fall in on itself, flattening to the rooftop. They stood up, now, ankle deep in dark mist. Again, the building groaned, the ground under it shaking.
“Something… Something’s been triggered.” Collin murmured.
“Look!” the wanderer said gasping and pointing to the near by buildings. They were moving, falling, as though they were felled trees about to hit the ground. But the fall was slow, and controlled. The bases tipped up, exposing their undersides. In all there were about five of these such buildings, tipped over on their sides.
“Collin, what is this?” the wanderer asked. Collin shook his head wonderingly.
“I have no idea.” He said. A loud alarm sounded, echoing across the whole city. They clamped their hands over their ears, wincing at the sound. Through his squinted eyes, Demus caught sight of movement at the bases of one of the buildings. The alarm slowly died, leaving an empty silence in the air.
“Look.” Demus said, pointing to the base. As they watched, three long lines of people dressed in dark uniforms began marching from the black opening. They moved past the capitol building, heading toward the ocean.
“There are more.” Tella said pointing to the other buildings. Indeed, more people were pouring from the buildings, moving in the same direction. There was a marina on the shore with five large sleek boats harbored in it.
“They’re going to board those boats!” the wanderer said softly.
“Those are military boats.” Collin whispered.
“So… Those people… They were… underground this entire time?” the wanderer asked. Collin nodded.
“Yes, there are underground bunkers, large enough for the whole city to evacuate into, but I never imagined…”
“And now, Mahito’s death has triggered this military action?” Tella asked. Collin shrugged.
“I guess so, except, how would they know he’s dead?”
“Do you think Minerva triggered it?” Demus asked. Collin shrugged.
“What ever is going on, this looks like an invasion fleet. They’ve been planning it for sometime, so that they could invade Betamy once and for all. Mahito must have made them wait, holding off the invasion so that he could duel with us… Minerva wanted Michael and Azrael here so that she could kill them, and she believed we would bring them to her… After that was done, she must have planned to have the invasion and used Mahito to put her plan into action.”
“We… Have to get out of here.” Demus said shaking his head. “Everyone is coming out now… They’ll find us soon and since Minerva has no more use for us, she’ll let them kill us.”
“Where do we go?” Tella asked, looking down at the still unconscious Will. “We don’t have anywhere to go, and Will’s still out. If we go anywhere, we’ll have to carry him, which won’t make for a very stealthy getaway.” The wanderer stepped closer to the roof edge.
“There really aren’t many of them.” She said softly.
“That doesn’t matter.” Tella said. “They have a navy and weapons… Betamy has a small army and uses mostly magic… But against all those weapons…” she shook her head.
“Look, they’re almost done loading into the boats.” Demus said running his hand nervously through his hair. “We need to go somewhere… Somewhere else.”
“Well what do you suggest Demus?” Tella asked, growing annoyed with him. “You want to just go on down there in plain sight? At least up here we’re out of the way.”
“But if we don’t do something,” the wanderer said, “Those boats will reach Betamy and Terrebia isn’t far from the coast. They’ll have conquered the castle by morning.”
“Boats can’t move that fast.” Demus said.
“No, they can… Actually.” Collin said. Demus paused, looking down at the large boats in the harbor in amazement.
“Maybe we could stowaway?” the wanderer asked. Tella shook her head.
“Oh yeah sure. I bet their security will be really loose! And I’m sure we’ll have no problem getting Will down there too.”
“Well we have to do something!” the wanderer shouted, growing angry.
“Let’s try it Tella.” Demus said.
“What?” Tella shouted, “Are you serious Demus? That’s a horrible plan!”
“It’s the best we have.” He said. “Besides, we can’t stay here. Come on!” he ran back over to the place they had come up. It was now a pile of rubble, but he could see an opening, and below that a staircase.
“Come on everyone,” he said, “We have our exit!”
As his friends moved off Collin paused, his eyes wandering back over to Mahito’s corpse. He drew near it one last time, looking down. As he was about to turn and leave, something on the roof tiles caught his eye. The roof was still covered in mist, though it was thinning, but this thing shone through the mist. Collin realized with a shiver that it was the pike, and still attached to it, the Mirror. Slowly, he moved toward it, touching the Mirror’s familiar form. He pulled it from the holding slot on the pike and slipped it into his pocket. There was no reason to leave it, he reasoned. If the Areans found it, it could be dangerous. Better to keep it safe.
“Collin!” Tella shouted, “Come on!” with a jump, Collin ran back toward his friends.
The boats were done loading and the first of them had begun to leave. The group watched them from behind a concrete wall meant to hold back high tides.
To get down to the staircase, Will had had to be strapped to Demus’ back and Demus had had to jump. The rest had found ways to climb down.
Now they watched in despair as the boats disconnected from the docks, moving off into the sea. There really had been no chances. It seems that whatever cargo they were carrying was already loaded on and there was no way they could sneak on with the troops. The last boat was now pulling away, leaving them stranded in Area.
“Well what did you expect?” Tella asked shaking her head watching the lights move off. “We’re lost… No one cares what happens to us now. And worse, Betamy is about to fall.”
“Don’t be so hopeless.” The wanderer said. “We won’t ever find a solution if you think that way.” Will moved slightly, groaning from Demus’ back. Tella gasped, leaning forward and pulling the knots out of the bindings, letting Will fall back. Gingerly, she held him up as he awoke.
“Uhh?” he said softly, raising his head.
“Hi.” Tella said. Will’s eyes widened as his vision focused and he could see who sat before him. He stared at her, trying to find something to say, but nothing would come. Everything was numb feeling inside him, and to tell the truth, that’s the way Will wanted it- at least for now.
Out of the darkness a deep horn sounded, honking twice, long and loud. Will jumped at the sound, nearly crying out in surprise. They all sprung to their feet, looking out into the dark sea.
“What’s that?” Demus asked.
“I don’t know… A boat?” Tella asked.
“One of them coming back?” Collin asked. The wanderer shook her head.
“It’s too small… It’s…” she squinted her eyes, trying to see into the darkness. Will stood up, his eyes round as the boat approached the harbor.
“It don’t believe it.” He said softly, shaking his head.
“What is it?” Demus asked.
“It’s Bessie.” Will said.