I was silent.
“She’s lied to you since the beginning. Her planned web of deceit has corrupted even those you call – friends. Did you remember his face!?”
The man's blurred features gradually came into focus. The human face of Ullpli stared back; William was the one who’d committed the crime.
The priest was Lira’s true puppet. He appeared like the day I’d met him; fresh-faced and full of belief towards his noble hunt for the holy grail; the world of Eve.
“No...”
“Now you know the lengths she will take to defeat me! The Guardian of Eve; the green man has always been part of her scheme and had taken the lives of your parents because of his naivety!”
Whether I believed him or not; my mental wellbeing had peaked, and I felt numb. It was too much to process and the rage overcame me.
“Your feud has gone on long enough!” I said, gritting my teeth. “And I do not care anymore. I just want this to end. I want both of you to end...”
“Come and finish it then!”
I called for my sword and my bound weapon manifested in my hand. I pointed my ley-line key, Orion, at the Demon. Dante smiled brandishing his pointed teeth and he knelt down. He scraped his sharp claws across the ground to intimidate.
I didn’t flinch.
The beast came at me like a true creature of the night. Running on all four limbs he gained speed and dashed past me. Before I could react, he’d split my arm open and blood seeped from my wound.
He’s quick! I thought. I need to be more careful. My arm hurts, but it’ll work. Let’s see what Orion has under her belt... The star flashed in its core; Orion, help me! Help me defeat this Demon!
The ancient text glowed on the blade and the energy of worlds created an aura around my body.
My ley-line key responded to my call and the power that surged through my veins was raw. This was the power that Sedgwick; the last druid, ley-line rider, and my friend had kept safe against the darkness. At that moment, I fully understood his worries and cautious nature.
I felt enhanced, in comparison to the previous fight with Dante; Ullpli had given his power to me and if I guessed right, the silver sword was part of the same energy that I wielded with Orion.
The beast recognised my development and wasted no time in attacking again. He’d slowed considerably and we were on equal plains.
He’s coming from the side!
I blocked his offensive, as he tried to cut through my belly. His sharp claws cracked on impact with my blade.
The fire around us was still roaring and the oncoming shadow had swallowed most of our surroundings. My house was almost gone, eaten away, bit by bit. It was like a hungry hoard of insect nibbling away at the foundations. But in the darkness, a pulse was distinctively there and as I clashed with my enemy, the beat formed a rhythm.
What is that!?” I questioned.
Dante came at me again, with brute strength. He rampaged like a wild baboon and struck me head-on, utilising his devil horns. I rolled across the floor but managed to rise again.
“Come on!!!” I roared in defiance.
Orion responded towards my anger and squealed. My star gathered the energy into a ball before I swung it towards Dante. The light burst into a singular razor-sharp anomaly. The entity ducked but his right arm trailed. The essence of light cut his abnormal arm clean off; Dante was certainly made of flesh and bone.
“Argh!!!!” he screamed. The beast was panting, whilst staring me down. “I won’t let it end like this...”
The pulse became even louder until I realised my chest followed suit. The rhythm was unmistakable, and I could feel everything around me; even Dante. He was panicking.
I came face to face with the Darkness who’d haunted my mind for years. The evil who had destroyed the lives of thousands. The filth, manipulator, and the father of sin. “This is my heart. My mind. My body, which means I can do anything! I am the master here Demon! And you will obey me!”
“You’re the master of nothing! Even if you imprison me now, I will always haunt you!” replied Dante.
“Come at me!” I goaded. “Let us finish this...”
With one last breath, the standoff was broken, and we clashed for the last time. There was nothing but the scent of fear in the air. The Demon wreaked of it. With his only hand, he’d tried to parry my sword. I drove Orion through his palm and into his black heart. Dante was stunned...
The encroaching shadow had stopped, and my house began to reappear. The flames dwindled and sizzled away.
The huge frame of the horned creature collapsed in on itself and Orion dropped to the floor. I recovered my blade and watched a small black blob manifest before me. It looked to be a dark version of Lira’s fairy form.
It spoke; “Well done, Lucius.”
“Your mine now beast,” I replied. “Or shall I say, little being.”
“Gloat all you want; you cannot hold me forever. There will be a time when the eternal boredom of immortality will be too much and then, the game will begin.”
I ignored his statement and said, “You’ll have a cellmate soon. Try not to bicker.”
I used Orion to open a doorway and I left the dark Celestial bounded within my heart.
Chapter Sixteen - Ascension
I awoke to Namir kneeling to welcome his new vitalised master; my lost finger had regrown. The horns that grew on my head dropped to the floor and turned to ash. The mage appeared confused and got up from his knees. He stared at me intently until he realised who was standing before him.
“Impossible...” said Namir.
I smiled at his response. The mage seemed frightened and angry. He backed up and conjured a doorway and disappeared into the mist. His hollowed face couldn’t conceal his disbelief and he was gone from sight.
There was one last piece of the puzzle to deal with and she was under my feet. I found the steps and made my way into Lira’s prison where I found the Celestial free from her sphere. Liquid and glass coated the flagstone. I crunched my way over to the supposedly light of good. She was in her physical form again and her yellow elven eyes reflected her guilt; she knew.
“I know the truth Lira,” I said.
She was quiet for a second.
The liquid dropped from her long golden hair that covered her body from head to toe. Her white wings were hidden behind her back.
She finally answered: “Would you have gone through with this if I’d told you the truth?”
“No... but you can’t justify your actions to me.”
“Can I at least humour you?”
There was desperation and a tremor in her voice.
“Fine...” I replied. “Humour me.”
“There must be a balance to every representation of light and darkness. To reach the greater good, one must commit an evil because there is too much at stake. The potential destruction of worlds and their billions of occupants.”
“You murdered them,” I said, bluntly; ignoring her excuse. “Murdered two innocent bystanders - indoctrinated a fragile priest; twisted his beliefs so he could do your bidding - you kidnapped my Grandfather to start this ridiculous crusade and have stripped Thea of her loved ones. In my eyes, there is no difference between you and Dante. We were nothing but pawns in a child’s game. A power struggle between two siblings.”
“Lucius –
“Have we got time for more of your lies Lira? Dante is trapped within me and without balance, I can feel the darkness straining, and all will be for nothing.”
“I suppose not. I accept my fate. The time has come for me and my brother to co-exist as one.”
“And I reluctantly accept you; for the greater good. Where there is Light, there is always Darkness.”
Lira turned into her fairy form and the little ball of light shot into my chest. I felt a pull within, and my body was heavy. The sudden surge of power rushed through me; it was transcendence. I was changing into something that I couldn’t explain. My veins pumped golden blood and my h
air turned to black as coal. My spine spasmed with a sudden shock of pain. My shoulder blades cracked, and my skin began to open.
A pair of humongous wings ripped at my clothing and stretched across the entire room. One was white and the other was black; a representation of what I’d become. I was a Celestial, but still a ley-line rider. I used my telluric key to open a doorway back to Eve. Thea needed my help, and William – I needed to see.
I flapped my wings a couple of times and the sensation of defying gravity was incredibly weird. My legs hung loose, like a pair of lost limbs, but I knew how to work my wings; it was strangely natural to me.
I blasted off into the ley-line and instantly transported above Hethenheim. Smoke rose from Bjorn’s hall and the village was on fire. The animals hurried with water in response to the blaze. Over yonder, flashes of magic ricocheted off the foundations of the town. It had come from the arena, where I’d fought the ape Esca.
I made my way over and landed with a thud. My wings retracted into my body, which surprisingly didn’t hurt.
I looked upon a battle between two powerful beings and an old feud that began centuries ago; Namir faced off against Ullpli, but I didn’t care for the outcome. I wanted to find Thea.
Not far from where a balcony had collapsed, a sword poked out of the rubble. I rushed over, whilst avoiding the cosmic magic that blew holes in the earth. William was certainly showing his true power. He too was in flight and held a wooden staff. It had a green jewel crested into the handle. Every spell he conjured the stone would flash with obedience. The aura that surrounded the two mages was so intense that every time they touched an object, it would obliviate in seconds; but as I came close to them, I felt nothing from their raw power. A rogue spell had deflected off my arm and blew up half a column. It should’ve been a surprise, but my mind was purely on someone else.
I came to the pile of rubble and lifted the stone that blocked my way. Crushed feathers coated in blood stuck to the flagstone; a sword had impaled the creature’s chest. Zahar had been defeated in my absence; there was no sign of Thea. My heart raced with anxiety, which was a relief in some twisted way. I knew at that moment I had retained a large part of my former self and it was my best trait.
I closed my eyes and concentrated on finding my friend and the one I loved most. I cancelled out all heartbeats that differ from human and I found a familiar rhythm behind a pillar.
“Thea!!!” I shouted.
A foot stuck out from the shadows and I raced over. Thea’s blonde hair coated her motionless face and she was battle-worn. She was thankfully alive but badly injured.
I picked her up in my arms and took flight once more. We rose into the sky and away from the mayhem. She was too still for my liking. I could see Thistle’s home in the dense wood and made my way over. I hoped her remedies could help.
This time I landed with extra care and Thea stirred in my arms. Her eyes didn’t open but she spoke. “Lucius...”
“I’m here,” I said.
The smell of herbs was potent. A familiar aroma of the past and a reminder of memories.
“Where are we?” she asked.
“Thistle’s home. Do you remember the Hare that slept in your sock drawer?”
“Yes... she was cute.”
“She will look after you until I return.”
“Where are you going?”
“William. I need to see him. You will be okay here.”
Thea passed out again before I could say more. I had begun the healing process with my newfound abilities. The deep claw marks on her shoulder regenerated, although, it was a slow process.
The wooden door of Thistle’s hut opened, and Flit hopped out. My old friend looked upon me, only to see a creature he didn’t recognise.
“Can we help you?”
“Flit. It’s me.”
The hare sniffed the air and came closer. “Lucius, what has happened to you?”
“We will talk later, but Thea needs your help.”
Flit gestured for me to come in and I placed Thea on the very table where Sammy recovered from the dark mark.
The hare’s offspring gathered around Thea and gently placed a pillow under her head. Thistle had the same look of shock and again, I had to repeat myself. She understood and I left Thea in the care of my friends. The fight between the mages still roared on and I went to meet them on the battlefield; not knowing what I’d do. Lira’s revelations were a tough pill to swallow.
Chapter Seventeen - An Old Feud
I returned to Hethenheim’s arena or what was left of it. Scorch marks of magical conjuring stained the structure. I was stood on the highest balcony and analysed from above.
The two mages were fatigued and injured. William could only see through one eye, as blood dripped from a deep cut on his forehead that blinded his vision. He held his side in pain; the vegetation that had become part of his being was singed. His whole left side was black and brown.
Namir appeared in a similar state. His hood was down, and his fragile skeleton structure was unmasked. He struggled to breathe and wheezed; his left arm was gone, but he’d sealed the wound. His skin had rapidly formed over the stub. Namir stood over a pool of blood.
Both mages still held their staffs at the ready.
This was one fight I decided not to disturb and so, I was a spectator.
Flashes of colour resonated between their magical staffs. The attacks deflected off their conjured barriers that gave them flight. They clashed together in a rage and collided to the floor. Both rolled on impact and struggled to move. William flicked his staff and created hundreds of projectile spiked stones. Namir retaliated by defending himself. The pointed stones turned to dirt except one; it managed to impale Namir’s foot. He clenched his jaw in pain.
William wasted no time in reacting, every second was precious. A strong gust of wind was conjured and caused the dark mage to hang onto a piece of rubble. It was not enough, and the cyclone strength blew Namir’s staff from his hand.
“No!!!” he shouted.
The priest quickly shot a ball of destructive energy at Namir’s unoccupied weapon and it turned to powder. William’s enemy dropped to his knees. The magical connection between Namir and his staff was severed; he gripped his chest in pain. The source of his power was gone and without it, his fatal injuries re-opened.
William came forward and walked towards his foe. “For crimes of being a follower of the Darkness and the destruction of Camelot; I sentence you to death!”
Just before the priest could finish the evil being, Namir quickly thrusted a concealed knife into the green man’s side. It was a last ditched effort, and a cowardly one too.
William tapped his staff on Namir’s head, and the last Minion of Dante perished. He crumbled like a sandcastle to water.
William dropped to the floor.
I flew down from the balcony and approached my old friend who looked upon me. I sat down beside him, not knowing what to say. After everything that had happened, I still saw him as the naive priest and the guardian of Eve.
He placed a hand on mine to say: “I don’t ask for forgiveness Lucius. I am sorry for what I did and for lying to you. It was for the protection of the grail and the people of realms. All worlds are connected...”
“We were both used. I can’t forgive what you’ve done, but I do understand.”
Ullpli’s leaves began to turn brown. The knife had a magical seal on the handle that prevents the wounded from healing. I could’ve tried to help, but a part of me felt this was fate.
“Orion, I believe you won’t need anymore. Take it to Sedgwick’s grave. I believe he missed his key greatly...”
The priest died in the arena and so, the guardian of Eve was no more. His betrayal hurt the most and I thought maybe in time I could forgive his involvement towards my parents’ demise; we were all part of a game much greater than we realised.
William Frankfurt’s body disintegrated and floated off in the wind. His ashes would be scattered among
st the realms of Eve.
I heard a scuffle near the entrance and heavy footsteps approaching.
“Haven’t you changed,” said a low voice.
I turned to face Bjorn, the great sea bear, Lord of Hethenheim and my dearest friend.
“Everything has changed. The Celestials are now trapped within me. Ullpli – William is gone.”
“I know, we felt the change. The animals are the light that keeps Eve alive and now, you are the essence of good and evil. A guardian of all worlds.”
“Despite my appearance, I am still me.”
“Yes. Yes, you are Lucius,” smiled Bjorn. “What will you do now?”
There was nothing left to do. The chapter of adventure was now finished and so, there was only one response. “Live and rebuild.”
“I’ll start with Hethenheim. Maybe my old home too,” said Bjorn.
“Not a bad idea.”
Before returning to Thea I had a promise to keep. I left the bear and transported to the Sanctuaries where my old friend rested. Upon his grave, I sat for a while to reminisce past times. I held his key that was rejuvenated in Evermoor and remembered how he lost it. The Hectanzile creature who fed off souls still lingered beneath York.
Perhaps I’ll pay her a visit soon... I thought.
I’d left Orion below the sanctuaries stars and reunited with its true master.
I returned to Thea who was awake. She was discussing our adventure with the two Hares. Flit described my new look before I walked in. Thea turned to look upon me. I was convinced she’d be shocked, but she jumped off the table and we embraced. Her hand slowly moved to my wings and felt my feather between her fingertips.
“Feels soft,” she smiled.
“I feel like a large chicken,” I chuckled.
She wasn’t bothered in the slightest and only wanted to go home, which was a welcoming idea. Her wounds were still healing, so it gave me some time to reflect on the future. I found a perch within the woodland to contemplate. I was a Celestial; an immortal; Guardian of Light and Darkness. I questioned whether someone like me should live a human life or even live among them... I wouldn’t age and watching those around me perish in time was an intrusive thought. It was a dilemma I didn’t expect.
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