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Chapter Thirty Seven~ Goodbye for Now, Brother |
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I coughed as I rolled onto my stomach. I gasped for air but none came. I fell back to the cold black floor, panting for air.
“Easy, young fool.” An ancient voice said behind me.
The Voice.
I eased myself up, coughing violently into my hands. Silver speckles of blood flew into the air between my fingers. I held them back to see the glossy silver coating on my palms.
“You are beyond repair, Anako.” The Voice said his ancient and withered old form slowly walking out of the thick veils of darkness shrouding my world. “However I suppose that we’re lucky you weren’t drug to the Nether Realm with that spirit.
My eyes widened in shock and horror.
“No!” I gasped, choking on blood as I crumpled over. “You can’t kill him!”
He stared down icily at me. My arm burned with pain and my lungs were heavy with blood and fluid. The gashes in my cheeks throbbed and my entire body felt like it was burning.
He shook his head and tsk-tsked me.
“You are such a fool.” He shrugged and knelt before me. “But I guess it can’t be helped.”
He sighed and rocked back, rolling back up strait. He tilted his head back in thought.
I slowly composed myself and stood up feebly.
What was this about?
Why is he here?
“Okay Anako. I will give you just one more chance at this.” He said sternly.
“Ch-chance at what?” I asked softly, blinking away pain as I felt a wave of dizziness washing over me.
He sighed and shook his head at me. He gave me an incredulous stare.
“You’re the best and brightest I’ve known but you’re not very quick today, hmm?” He scowled.
I didn’t offer any incriminating response. There really isn’t any point in arguing against the one that controlled the world.
“I’m going to give you another chance with Rhyns. Don’t screw this up again.” He said shaking his finger at me.
“Wh-wha-?” I stammered, this generosity was unheard of! “Y-you’re not serious are you?”
Best to stay cynical with these people, they always lie.
“Cynical as always? Very bright boy.” He praises. “However I mean it. I will give you the opportunity to guard of Rhyns one more time.” He said.
He turned back to the wall of black. As I squinted into the darkness I seen a figure start to waver and take shape. As they got closer I could see it was a woman holding a child.
She smiled serenely at me, her arms gently rocking the babe.
“My son….. Take good care of him Anako.” She said and gingerly held him out.
I stepped forward and took him in my arms. This life was so frail. I was surprised he didn’t break under the slightest of touches.
“I’m going to send him to a new planet, one that will be better suited to you and him.” The Voice said and tenderly took him from my arms. “I will tell you when o will depart.”
With that he and the matron mother both turned and vanished into the black.
I collapsed to my knees. This joy and relief was so overwhelming that it was nearly painful.
“I vow to you Rhyns that I will not be so negligent this time. I will never leave your side.” I drew three small Rings of Promise on my chest and hands.
They glowed briefly then faded into dark lines. The ones on my hands sunk in but the central Ring stayed over my breast stone.
I rubbed the ring and nodded to myself.
Then I realized how tired I was.
I laid on the cool floor and was over come by sleep so quickly it felt as if I merely blinked when a blinding light washed over me.
The ground below was soft and spongy; completely different from the hard stony floor I know I fell asleep on.
I groaned and pulled my self up to look around.
Specks of light streamed down atop me from the broken canopy of leaves above me. The sea of green, waving grass rolled on in the spaced and open forest.
The creatures here filled the air with noise.
“I’m glad you’re awake.” I heard behind me.
I whirled to see Lariel sitting upon a thin branch of white barked tree.
He hopped down and glided to me. He threw his arms around me, whispering in my er.
“I did my best to fix you, however your lungs will never bee whole.” He lamented.
“Lariel… where am I?” I asked, trying to look around.
“You are on the planet I selected for you to and Rhyns to stay on.” The Voice said.
Both Lariel and I turned to see the voice stalking up to us. His hunched back and white beard seemed contradictory to the fresh life blooming all about this place. Then I noticed his hands were locked behind his back but they seemed strained.
He noticed my scrutiny and gave wiry smile/
“My present to you, Anako.” He grinned wickedly.
He slowly brought for his hands to show a black orb with a fierce but tiny firebird screeching inside it. The phoenix gave its shrill call over and over again, the black orb being washed over again and again by the flaming funnel it created.
“You are familiar with the Phoenix, no?” He chuckled, for he knew I was. I drew my powers from a phoenix feather. “This little phoenix is the balancer of this world. Every thousand or so years it whips out a great portion of the world to keep a hold of disease, over population, and destruction.” He stated matter-of-factly.
I nodded and Lariel frowned but held his tongue.
“You will carry this phoenix. It will make your powers nearly a thousand fold stronger however it is a thousand fold more deadly to you. If you over use the phoenix power you will burn out you mind and soul. But you’re body will be first.” He sniggers, almost please by the thought.
“So you just want him to destroy the world when his love is still living?!” Lariel snapped, stepping forward.
I held him back, stepping before him.
“Why are you giving me this?” I ask instead.
“So you can watch over Rhyns without much fear of others. People hate the phoenix but hate and fear also create respect. They won’t dare harm a person you’ve chosen to protect.” He say, leering at Lariel.
“My, how generous you are today.” Lariel sneers.
The Voice laughs and tosses me the orb. It burns my fingers tips.
I shriek as it rolls up and slams me in the chest. It sinks under my skin, causing my skin to bubble and hiss.
I cross my arms over my chest and fall to my knees, hunching over myself.
“You might notice a slight burning sensation.” The Voice mocks.
I howl with pain but it suddenly passes. I gasp for air and plant both my hands on the ground, locking my arms.
Lariel kneels beside me, stroking my hair and neck.
“Be cautious. You are not the only pyrotechnically gifted person but you are by far the most powerful. Your aura will undoubtedly set you clothes and other things on fire so be sure to make your self a seal or something to keep your fire in check.” The Voice adds.
He turns and starts away but I call out for him to wait.
“Rhyns, where is Rhyns?” I beg, ready to plead for that information.
He smiles and nods. He beckons for the two of us to follow.
Lariel pulls me to my feet and helps me away. I lean on him for support as my body slowly begins to get used to the extreme heat.
I feel like I’m boiling but at the same time I’m so cold. I’m not hot enough any more but I’m too hot for my old self.
I’m panting by the time I limp to the edge of the forest a few short meters from where I woke up.
The Voice stood smiling beside a tree, his eyes twinkling with distant joy as he stared out.
“There.” He said, pointing with his hairy chin.
Lariel escorts me over. We both look out to see an orphanage where a bunch of young children are running about recklessly.
Then off the side I see a maybe ten year old Rhyns shouting and cheering for the other kids running about after a head of cabbage.
“You’ve been gone from his life for ten years but over a thousand years have passed since your last visit to the realm of the finites.” The Voice said and bowed curtly. “I trust you won’t screw this up again.” He stated and skulked away.
“Old b*****d.” Lariel spat, throwing all sorts of vulgar and obscene gestures at his back.
“Lariel…” I groaned shaking my head at him.
“Bah.” He snorts and drags his hand over his face. “Well it seems you might need this after all.” He said and pulled out a box.
He slowly cracked the red embroider box, the metal hinges hissing from lack of use. Inside was a pearly orb that glimmered dully. He lifted it out by the long chain and gave it a rough flick.
The bead multiplied and they hung there on the same cord.
He looked up at me sadly and motioned for us to walk away. I limped back to the clearing and he motioned for me to sit.
“This is a very special gemstone, The Ismidalah?” He asked, seeing if I heard of it.
I had once heard Hyiru mention it. He said that was always the one thing he wanted more than anything. He had said that it had something to do with beauty…
“This gem can alter your appearance you. This second one here I’ve laced with valuable knowledge.” He said swinging the gently side to side.
I nodded. I haven’t heard much on them; I’ve never had any need for something like these.
“This second one will grant you the same powers as a magic bearing race here. They specialize in dark arts and spells. The first will give you at ability to alter your appearance.” He said nodding. “Now you can blend in to Rhyns won’t think you any older or anything else you want. But please, I want you to be very limited with your use of either of these.” He said sternly, his eyes narrowing on mine.
“Of course.” I said simply.
“Good.” He said and sucked in a breath, closing his eyes. “However this is the kicker…”
He paused and stared up at me and raised the gem to eye level.
“It needs to be concealed within your eyes. It will affect your vision but it’s reversible. You can use the gem to bring back your vision.” He said softly.
“Do it.” I commanded and steeled myself.
He bit his lip and thrust the first one at my eye.
My vision was lost in spark of intense light and blue sparks of pain and electricity. I shuddered and felt my head go light and airy.
He shook my shoulders, calling out. Slowly his screams became audible and I came back to reality.
“Hey are you alright!?” He said with panic painted all over his face.
My vision was fuzzy and off seeing as I only had one eye. I nodded and motioned for him to do the second.
“Here it comes.” He whispered and the second wave of white flooded over me and left me swimming in the darkness.
I felt hands grab mine and squeeze softly.
“I’m here, Anako.” Lariel whispers.
I squeeze my eyes shut and focus on the gems. I have this instinctive grasp of how it works. I focus on my old self and feel the magic swirl within me.
I gasp and arch my back as the refreshing surge of power courses through me. I blink away the blindness and stare into Lariel’s eyes.
“It works well.” I said airily, my breath still away on vacation.
He nodded again and threw his arms around me.
“I’ll miss you brother.” He said softly, “Have fun on Rivina.”
I nodded into his shoulder and pushed him back. He nodded and stepped back. He stood in a beam of strong light and waved as his body slowly dematerialized.
“Thank you, my brother, I won’t forget this.” I whispered and kissed the tips of my fore and middle finger then twirled it around and pressed it my heart then my forehead.
“I will return again. Goodbye is not forever.”
I stood and the world began to tower over me as I shrank into child slightly older than Rhyns.
I peered out from behind the bushes.
 Ray the Good Soldier · Tue Nov 20, 2007 @ 03:01am · 0 Comments |
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