Will tried to catch his breath but found he couldn’t breath. Everything was pushing in on him, flattening and squeezing him. He felt Fairien cry out in surprise and pull him away from the death like pressure. Will’s mind clouded before he was able to open his eyes properly. He could once again feel his body and knew he was in the real world again. Something still pressed against him, squeezing him, but upon opening his eyes, Will could see that it was Fairien holding him very tightly. Fairien was wide-eyed and breathing in short gasps.

She’s moving in on me… he felt Fairien think, She’s here… She’s here and I have no power… Not even enough to transport myself and Will a quarter mile…

“Fairien?” he asked, trying to call Fairien attention to him. Fairien focused briefly before an explosion sent them both jumping apart and turning toward the sound. They hadn’t moved very far from the beach; it was still in view through the trees. Will caught his breath as he watched the missiles pound into the beach, relentless tearing it asunder. Fairien gasped and turned to look at Will. Will’s body had gone ridged as he stared at the beach and at the wreckage that had once been Bessie.

“Will, don’t look.” He said. Will ignored him and continued to stare. Another shell went off, blowing sand and smoke up around the wreckage. Will choked, pulling his hands to his face and clamping them over his mouth. Fairien moved between Will and the carnage, taking him by the shoulder.

“Come on.” He said quietly, “We need to go.” Will finally moved his eyes to meet Fairien’s. They stared at each other a moment.

“He’s…” Will started.

“I’m sorry.” Fairien said quietly. Will took in a slow breath, gazing past him, toward the beach and bit his lip.

“He’s really…?”

“Yes.” Fairien said. “It was quick.” He added.

“Somehow that doesn’t help…” Will said. “I wouldn’t have brought him into this. Not if I knew he’d be…”

“I know.” Fairien said quickly. Besides, you didn’t bring him into this… I did, he thought. It occurred to Fairien that they were probably not in the safest place right now. “Come on. Please.” He said.  Will moved, slowly and numbly, letting Fairien led him away. Fairien subtly watched him out of the corner of his eye as they walked together. He could feel the terrible emptiness that was engulfing Will. Well, the Captain had been the only family Will had ever known.

Now I’m alone… Will thought painfully. Fairien paused a moment then spoke quietly,

“You’re not completely alone.” He said. Will slowly looked up at Fairien. He was about to speak, when they heard voices and the noise of many people moving quickly toward them.

“Areans!” Fairien hissed. Will gasped, looking wildly around. Though they were in the woods, the underbrush here was sparse and the trees weren’t thick this time of year. There was nowhere to hide.  The voices were coming closer.

“Fairien! We’re trapped! They’ll-”

“No. They won’t.” Fairien said. His voice was suddenly full of determination. A quick loud crackling sound penetrated the air as long white objects shot from Fairien’s back. He opened his wings and spread them.

“That won’t work! You won’t be able to get through the trees, and they’ll shoot you down!” Will said, panicking. Fairien, however, wasn’t moved. He pulled his wings down, around both of them, hemming them into a small dark cave. They were completely wrapped in the feather masses and being squeezed together. Will blinked in the darkness.

“But-” he began.

“Be quiet!” Fairien hissed at him, “Don’t move.” Suddenly they were aware of the Areans, as their noise grew closer. They were speaking loudly in Arean, and running toward them. Will gasped and felt himself shaking. He couldn’t take this, after everything, now he was going to die-

And the Areans ran past them. Will stared in bewilderment, wondering if his ears were deceiving him. The noises, the footsteps, the voices… they were moving past them, not even bothering them at all. If anything, it seemed as though the Areans were going around them, as though they were only another tree. Fairien smiled as the noises lessened and finally faded away altogether.

“Wha… What’s going on?” Will asked.

“Mortals aren’t prepared to see something like my wings… So, their minds will invent something else… Whatever is convenient…” Fairien said, shrugging.

“I can see your wings.” Will said.

“You and your friends are an exception.” Fairien said, letting his wings part and move back behind him. Will stepped away from him, catching his breath.

“…I can’t take this.” he breathed.

“I’m sorry. I would have told you, I didn’t mean to worry you, there just wasn’t time, they-”

“No…” Will moaned. “I can’t do this… Any of it.” Fairien paused.

“Oh.” He said, realizing what Will meant.

“I’m sorry…” Will turned away, wiping his eyes. “I know… You need me as a vessel… But, I… I just can’t take this. I’m tired. I’m so tired.” Fairien watched him, quietly.

“I know Will.” he said. “I know…” He said and sighed, “I won’t ask you to do anymore.”

“I’m sorry.” Will apologized again.

“Don’t be sorry.” Fairien said. “You have no reason to be sorry. You haven’t done anything. I’m the one who should apologize…” he paused a moment. “But please, don’t think I just need you as a vessel. You’re my friend.” Fairien shifted his eyes away uncomfortably and continued, “…your probably the only person to see me for what I truly am.” Will blinked, hesitating, then nodded slowly. He was still kind of out of it, not thinking clearly. Fairien continued, trying to pull the conversation back to their plans, “…You should go to the ridge where Tella and the others are. That’s the safest place I can think of.” Will nodded again, then frowned.

“Wait, where are you going?” he asked. Fairien glanced away.

“To the castle.” He said quietly.

“Minerva is there, isn’t she?” Will asked. Fairien nodded. Will paused, watching him, “You’ll be killed.”

“No.” Fairien said. “She can’t kill me unless I enter a mortal body or she uses the talisman, and I believe Collin has the Mirror talisman at the moment, so I’m safe from her.” He turned his gaze to Will, “If you went she could use you against me, take you hostage or something. Then I would be tempted to possess you again. I don’t want to have to do that.” Will nodded.

“Alright.” He said finally. “So, how do I find the ridge?”

“I can take you.” A voice said from behind them. Fairien and Will jumped in surprise, turning in unison to see the wanderer. She stared back at them, noting their almost identically shocked expressions.

“Sorry.” She said, “I didn’t mean to sneak up on you I just-” But Fairien waved at her, cutting her off.

“No, no… We’re just… never mind.” He said and looking at her, “Good, you can take Will back.” He turned to Will. “See you later.” He said. Will paused a moment, then slowly nodded. Somehow, this felt strange.

“See you later.” Will said, and slowly moved off, following the wanderer. Fairien watched them, making sure they were going in the right direction, then turned, and began to walk in the direction of the castle.

 

They had walked across a large clearing and were about to go back into the woods when Will stopped. He turned to look behind him, and saw that they had walked far enough that Fairien was out of view. His bad feeling was growing and gnawing at him now. The wanderer noticed Will stop.

“What is it?” she asked.

“… Nothing… I…” Will began to say but stopped, the breath in his lungs freezing. Something was happening, something… He turned to the wanderer and stared at her, seeing if she could feel it as well. However, she just stared back at him with frightened eyes.

“Will? Are you alright?” she asked. Will shook his head and shot off, running back the way they had come. His heart was pounding, and not just from the running.

“Will!” he heard the wanderer shout, as she ran after him. Fairien was near, he hadn’t gone too far… Will caught sight of him and sped up, reaching him quickly. Fairien stood very still, looking down at his hands, his back to Will.

“Fairien!” Will murmured reaching him. The wanderer caught up, running up behind Will.

“What’s going on?!” she asked. Will tried to breathe.

“He’s loosing his foundings.” He said. Fairien gritted his teeth and turned, showing them his hands. They were fading, becoming transparent. The wanderer gasped.

“I don’t understand…” she said.

“Minerva is choking me off from my own people… She’s in the capital now so she’s able to spread her power over all of Betamy…” Fairien squeezed his eyes shut. “Soon I won’t have any one left to give me even enough power to support my physical form. I’ll be like Azrael.”

“What about me?” Will asked frantically, “You still have me, right?” Fairien opened his eyes.

“Yes.” He said quietly. “That is why I have not disappeared completely… However, if I stray from your side even a bit, I will fade away into nothingness… You saw, just now, your leaving caused this…” he motioned to his hands, which were slowly regaining their color. Will frowned. Fairien’s speech was changing. He wouldn’t have said something like that a moment ago… His tone was much more formal. Will wondered what it meant.

“Then I’ll stay with you.” Will said. Fairien looked at him painfully.

“You’ll be in danger.” He said. Will laughed.

“I’ve gotten used to it.”

“I don’t have the power to protect you anymore.” Fairien said. Will nodded.

“I have this,” the wanderer said, holding her staff out, “It may not be very powerful in my hands, but we do have this. Perhaps it could be used to keep us safe.”

“Us?” Will asked.

“I’m coming with you.” The wanderer said stubbornly.

“I don’t think this is your place wanderer.” Fairien said. “You don’t even know how to use your talisman.”

“I don’t care.” She said. ‘I’m coming anyway. I told Tella I would find you Will,” she said and turned to Fairien, “And I told Azrael that I would find you.” Fairien watched her a moment, then finally nodded.

“You have a strong spirit wanderer. I’ll not argue with you then.”

“Good.” She said.

“Alright. To the castle then.” Fairien said standing up straighter.

 

 

 

They were almost up to the top of the hill. Tella and the Commander led, while Collin and Demus followed them, and the army walked behind. Collin blinked, looking around.

“Where did the wanderer go?” he asked.

“She slipped off.” Demus said. “She’s gone to find Will.” Collin regarded him a moment.

“How do you know?” he asked.

“I’m observant.” Demus said. “Didn’t you notice the look Tella gave her?”

“No…” Collin said. Demus shrugged. Collin muttered under his breath and caught up with Tella.

“Tella,” he said, “If we get any closer to the hill we’ll be visible from the beach, they’ll see us over the top.”

“Are you sure?” Tella asked, “We’ll be far enough away I think.”

“No. They’ll…” he paused trying to find the right words, “They will have equipment which will allow them to see us, even from a long distance. And they’ll certainly be looking for us.” He said. Tella looked down at him a moment.

“Commander, hold the troops here.” She said. “We need to stay back a bit. Tell them to get down and stay hidden.” The Commander nodded and went to enforce the order.

“Thank you Collin. I wouldn’t have thought of that.” Tella said. “… So what’s changed your mind? I know that you’re our friends but that doesn’t mean you have to betray your nation’s army. Shouldn’t you be glad of the invasion?” Collin shook his head.

“I’m not betraying my nation. They’ve already been betrayed by Minerva. I’m trying to help them.” He said. “The Areans are merely puppets to her. She only wants to use us to get back at Azrael and Michael. If I let her use the Arean people like that, then I would be betraying my nation.”

“I see.” Tella said. “But what if they are killed in this battle?”

“I know there will be casualties but…” Collin paused and looked at Tella, “That’s why I want to ask you to only fight defensively. Don’t try to kill every last one of them please. And if they retreat, let them go.” He said. Tella smiled.

“I’ll agree to that.” She said. “However, I’m not too sure that I will have that choice. As optimistic as I try and be around my troops, I don’t really believe we’ll hold out very long against the Areans.”

“Well…” Collin said, “Then so be it.”

“You two are quite the pessimists, aren’t you?” Demus asked from behind them. “I have a feeling this won’t be our end, in less we succumb to our own fears.” He said and turned to Tella, “Tella, I was wondering if I could borrow a sword?” she nodded.

“Commander!” she called, “See that he gets a fine sword.” The commander nodded and drew out his own sword.

“It would be my honor if you would accept this.” The commander said, handing the sword to Demus. Demus took it, looking down its length and to the commander. He hesitated a moment before speaking.

“Do you… know who I am?” he asked quietly. The commander nodded.

“I grew up in Decorates. I saw you leading the Hailian army all those years ago in the great fall. You were the most courageous man I’ve ever seen, my lord, and I am certainly glad to have you on our side.” He said. Demus smiled sadly.

“Thank you.” He said. “I certainly hope that this battle has a better outcome than that one did.” The commander nodded and slipped quietly away. Demus examined the sword, swinging it experimentally.

“Not bad.” He said at last. “I would almost say that you Betamians are finally catching up to the quality of Hailian swords.”

“Huh! What do you mean, finally catching up?” Tella said, “We’ve always made the best swords!”

“Matter of opinion, Princess.” Demus said smiling. He let his gaze travel down to the land below them. His expression froze.

“They’re on the land now.” He said.

“Where?” Tella asked, looking down. “I can’t see anything.”

“They’ve gone into the trees.” Demus said. “They’ll be heading toward Terrebia.”

“Our troops we’ve laid will catch them.” Tella said. Demus nodded uneasily.

“Maybe.” He said. “For a little while.”

“They have to hold them long enough for us to launch out attack.” Tella said. “In the mean time, we need to blow up those ships-”

“Tella.” Collin said. “A defensive battle. Remember?” Tella paused, cursing.

“Oh, right.” She muttered. “Okay, no ship blowing up.” Just then a flare went up from the trees at the base of the beach. Tella stared at it hungrily.

“Alright then. Phase one has begun!” she shouted. “Let’s move! We’ve got to stop them from reaching Terrebia!”

 

 

“We’ll never make it in time!” the wanderer shouted as they heard more flares going up around them.

“The Areans are near.” Fairien breathed. Will watched him worriedly. Fairien didn’t look good. He was pale and having trouble breathing.

“Isn’t there any way to get to the castle faster?” Will asked.

“Its too risky to try a direct transport from here…” Fairien said. “But…” he frowned pausing.

“What? Is there something you can do?” Will asked.

“Mind you, if we do it, Minerva will know exactly where we are, and I’ll have to use power directly from you Will, so it may exhaust you.” Fairien said.

“Fine.” Will replied. “But if we don’t get out of here we’re going to be in the middle of a battle field soon and we won’t ever make it to the castle.”

“Eh, what exactly are you going to do?” the wanderer asked.

“A little trick I learned from Minerva, when we were on friendlier terms.” Fairien said. “Both you, stay close.” He said and stared forward intensely. The air around them began to shimmer and waver. Will gasped as he felt his energy draining away as the air blurred. Now it seemed that they were moving, the blurs becoming less distinct as they rushed past. The wanderer felt her stomach tighten and was about to cry out, when suddenly they stopped. The wanderer blinked, taking in their new surrounds. They were in a grassy field with trees behind them. The wanderer smiled, staring ahead as she saw the castle. She really hadn’t seen it when she had been here before. It had been night when they had left and night did not give the castle the justice it deserved. Behind her, Will heaved.

“Jeez…” he said catching his breath.

“I told you, it would exhaust you.” Fairien said, not looking so good himself. Will wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“Ah, whatever, I’m fine.” He said, standing up straight and glancing around. “Hey, we’re here. That was a pretty neat trick Fairien. Look, there’s that tree I slept in when I was here before. Ha.” He said.

“We need to get to the top.” Fairien said wearily. “I know a way.”

“We could climb up the vines, like I did before.” Will offered. Fairien glared at him lightly.

“If you feel like climbing up vines go for it.” He said. “I certainly don’t. I know a better way.”

“Eeh, fine.” Will said. “Just trying to be helpful.” Fairien trudged ahead finding a spot on the wall. He looked around, making sure he was in the right place.

“I just hope Avery hasn’t found this little trick and closed it up or something…” Fairien muttered. He pressed the stone as hard as he could. There was a soft click and they heard the sound of gears running, as a small opening appeared in the stonework.

“Wo…” Will said. “That’s pretty cool.”

“Where does this lead?” the wanderer asked, peering into the dark hole.

“Tella’s room.” Fairien said.

“Oohh…” Will lifted an eyebrow. “No wonder you know about this passage.”

“Shut up Will.” Fairien said wearily pushing his way into the darkness. Will smiled slightly and followed him. The wanderer stepped in after them and heard the door closing behind her. Something was going on with those two. She felt like Will was putting on a performance, trying to hide something. Maybe just how weak Fairien was? At any rate, Fairien didn’t seem to have the strength to play along. She frowned, following them closely.

“Through here is her room.” Fairien said, as they opened a door. They found themselves in the back of a closet. Fairien trudged through the clothes racks and reached the door. He tried opening it, but it wouldn’t move. Fairien cursed.

“We’re locked in.” he groaned.

“Surely you have enough power to open it?” The wanderer asked. Fairien glared at her. The wanderer realized that that may not have been the brightest thing to say. Will moved to the door and banged on it.

“Hey!” he shouted. There was a noise from the other side and then a shout,

“What?! Who’s in there? I swear Terlini if you’re still in there-” a voice shouted, wrenching the door open. Will took the opportunity to jump out while he had the chance, but bumped into Avery. Avery gasped in surprise as his eyes widened in recognition.

“You!” he shouted, grabbing Will by the hair. “You’re that ruffian-”

“Avery, put him down. We don’t have much time.” Fairien said wearily, walking out of the closet. Avery froze, upon seeing him. He stuttered a few time, trying to speak before finally managing to say,

“M-My lord…? He asked. “B-But-” his grip loosened and Will took advantage of it, slipping out of Avery’s grasp. Will and Fairien exchanged a look, and silently exited the room. Behind them, the wanderer stepped out of the closet, looked at the dumb founded Avery and smiled reassuringly.

“Hello.” She said sweetly. Avery blinked, his mouth hanging loosely open. The wanderer smiled again awkwardly and slipped out of the room, following Fairien and Will. Avery blinked, trying to recall if he had eaten any of Terlini’s cooking recently.

 

 

“Tella!” Collin shouted, “They’re breaking through on the South side!” Tella grimaced. They had lined the ridge with the army, making a blockade. Tella knew the land and they were blocking the only clear path to Terrebia and the castle. If the Areans tried to go around, they would find themselves in swamp and trees so thick it would take forever to get through. The Areans seemed to have realized this and were now furiously fighting to break through their blockade. They were still many yards off, fire their guns at the crudely constructed wall the Betamians had created. The Betamians were also using the natural ridge as a defense, hiding on the other side when the firepower got to dense. That’s one of the reason Tella had chosen this spot. Even so, she still wasn’t sure this had been the best idea, although, she hadn’t been able to come up with anything better.

“Get them to block it!” Tella shouted over the explosions, “We can’t loose this hill! If we loose it, it’s all over! We’ll have to run, and they’ll be able to pick us off.”

“We don’t have enough people.” Collin said. “We’ve lost so many.”

“Then we have to use our last defense already eh?” Tella muttered.

“What’s that?” Collin asked. Tella pointed her thumb behind her.

 “Him.” she said, pointing at Demus. Demus was kneeling, holding the borrowed sword in front of him, staring at it intently.

“Are you ready?” Tella asked. Demus closed his eyes.

“I believe so.” He said. “Yes… Now will work.”

“Alright. Any time your ready.” Tella said. Demus rose, and strode up to the top of the hill. Collin stared after him.

“Is he alright?” Collin asked Tella. Tella nodded.

“More than alright.” She said grinning. “Those Areans won’t know what hit ‘em.” At that moment, a flame lit up the end of Demus’ sword. Demus opened his eyes, and looked down upon the Areans. They stared back, uncertainly, wonder why someone had dared to step up to the top of the hill, in plain firing range.

“FIRE!” one of them shouted. They all began to shoot, trying to hit the Hailian, but even the most carefully aimed shot, seemed to miss. Demus breathed in and pulled his soul together. He could feel it now, almost a physical thing, burning inside him. Slowly he let it diffuse into the sword he held. The cold metal took it hungrily as the flames grew faster, angrier, and larger. The Areans stopped firing to watch what was happening. Demus noted that he had their full attention. That was vital.

The fire leapt out, streaming into the sky and falling, exploding around them. It was like no fire any of them had seen before. It was like a liquid, then, became a gas, flowing and drifting on the air and ultimately exploding rapidly with angry crackles and deafening roars. The Areans shouted in fear as the fire leapt on to them and clung like a living thing burning them. They shouted running back, abandoning the ground they had fought for minutes earlier. Upon seeing them leave, Demus slowed the fire and pulled his soul back into himself. Shakily he lowered the sword and looked at it. There was a silence at his back. He turned, seeing the Betamians staring at him.

“My God you’re good at illusions, aren’t you?!” Tella shouted laughing. Demus finally let himself smile. “If I hadn’t know, I would have been out of here, that’s for sure!” Tella said. Demus slowly walked back down the hill.

“That wasn’t just any illusion.” Collin breathed, “What was that?!”

“A bit of Hailian magic.” Demus said. “It takes a long time to set up and it should only be attempted with a very good channeling object.”

“I guess so.” Tella said shaking her head. She stopped, falling silent as she caught sight of something. Slowly, her companions followed her gaze. Atop the hill stood a line of Areans. There were hundreds, bearing down on them, standing silently, watching them, with their weapons point at the entirety of what was left of the Betamian army.

“Checkmate.” Tella whispered