The plans were made to leave the next day. Gilean hadn't wanted Sanria to go with the chance she'd run into Ruthivan, and she had obliged, but changed her mind when Orn chose to come along. She watched Orn go back up the stairs to pack a bag of his own, and left Gilean and Sandorin to return her pack to the bedroom. She heard a soft shuffle and turned to see Matinus standing in the doorway.
"Hello dear one," she said with a smile. "Something you needed?" She looked at the boy's face and frowned ever so slightly. There was something wrong. "What is it?" she said with a voice of concern.
"My dad is guilty."
"Wh.. what? What do you mean?" She sat on the bed and patted the space beside her. "Come in, sit." Matinus entered and sat looking at his lap. "I don't know what he did,
but he's been feeling guilty about it."
"Well I'm sure it's nothing."
The boy looked up at her and Sanria could see fear and pain written on his features. "I don't want him to mess up and make us leave and make you leave us. I don't want to lose you as my mom."
"Matinus..." Sanria reached over, putting her arm around his shoulders. "I promise you, no matter what this is, I won't go anywhere. You're my son now and everyone here is your family." "It's just that my Dad and Colin are angry with each other a lot, and now my dad did something wrong and feels guilty. Like when you're trying not to get in trouble, and I don't know why."
"Well, it's your dad. Whatever it is, I'm sure it's nothing as bad as it seems."
"You promise you won't go anywhere or make us leave?"
"Oh, Matinus. I won't go anywhere. And you're staying right here for as long as it takes til you grow up and leave on your own."
"What if I don't want to go when I get older?"
Sanria chuckled and kissed Matinus on the top of the head. She felt a deep connection to the boy, as though he were a miniature Orn all over again. She squeezed him lightly. "Then you can live here just like Orn and Mirin. Now, stop being worried and go play."
She watched the lopsided and shy smile come onto Matinus's face and he walked out. Then, and only then, did Sanria's smile fade. Guilty for what?
Showing posts with label Sandorin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sandorin. Show all posts
Discoveries in Seas of Emotion ( 1 of 2 )
"Mom, you really shouldn't come. The guy is an asshole." Leandra was not known for holding back, and Sanria sighed.
"I'd like to see her for myself and possibly..."
"What?"
"Well, I know we haven't exactly talked since... since you left, but-"
"Gods mom, what did you do now. Or should I say, who?"
"Leandra, that's... nevermind. I'm back together with your father."
"Well that's great!"
"No... hang on..."
"What?"
"I'm with Gilean, too." Silence. Then:
"You're married to two guys?"
"Yes."
"Holy hells, mom. I mean... what is wrong with you?"
"Leandra, I'm doing the best I can under the circumstances, so if you
don't mind keeping your demeaning opinion to yourself-"
"Fine. Fine... I'm... glad you're at least kinda back with Dad."
"Thank you," Sanria telepathed. "When can I come to visit Claire?"
"Soon. Mr. Bitch takes their kids to visit the other Espers daily. You
need to come about noon. If he finds you there, he's probably going
to be in a mood."
"Thank you, Leandra. I love you."
"Yeah, I know."
Sanria broke the connection with her daughter and sighed. She still didn't know she had a brand new half brother, but that would be a discussion for another time. She got up and packed a few supplies in her pack. She would go to Claire, figure out how to get her out of her situation, and bring her back for Gilean. It would be as simple as that. She had nearly reached the door when Gilean appeared from the library.
He guessed immediately where she was going and why, and spent the next moments trying to convince her that it was not what he wanted. "But," she began, "don't you love Claire more than you love me? If you could be with her, wouldn't you?" "I do love Claire. I do care about what she's going through and I hate to see it. She doesn't deserve it. But to say I love her more than you?" Gilean shook his head. "That's not true, Sanria."
Sanria's heart skipped and she reached out, taking both Gilean and her baby son, Sandorin, into an embrace. As strange was it was, she had to admit to herself that she was deeply in love with Gilean, and though it was different than the deep love she had for Colin, the truth was that she felt her heart more entwined with the man in her arms now.
She pulled back just as Orn came down the stairs. "Oh, hey guys. You... going somewhere, Mom?"
"Ah, I don't think so now. I was just going to go visit Claire and Leandra. I was thinking of helping Claire if she wanted help."
"Oh. Well, is there something I can do to help?"
"I'd like to see her for myself and possibly..."
"What?"
"Well, I know we haven't exactly talked since... since you left, but-"
"Gods mom, what did you do now. Or should I say, who?"
"Leandra, that's... nevermind. I'm back together with your father."
"Well that's great!"
"No... hang on..."
"What?"
"I'm with Gilean, too." Silence. Then:
"You're married to two guys?"
"Yes."
"Holy hells, mom. I mean... what is wrong with you?"
"Leandra, I'm doing the best I can under the circumstances, so if you
don't mind keeping your demeaning opinion to yourself-"
"Fine. Fine... I'm... glad you're at least kinda back with Dad."
"Thank you," Sanria telepathed. "When can I come to visit Claire?"
"Soon. Mr. Bitch takes their kids to visit the other Espers daily. You
need to come about noon. If he finds you there, he's probably going
to be in a mood."
"Thank you, Leandra. I love you."
"Yeah, I know."
Sanria broke the connection with her daughter and sighed. She still didn't know she had a brand new half brother, but that would be a discussion for another time. She got up and packed a few supplies in her pack. She would go to Claire, figure out how to get her out of her situation, and bring her back for Gilean. It would be as simple as that. She had nearly reached the door when Gilean appeared from the library.
He guessed immediately where she was going and why, and spent the next moments trying to convince her that it was not what he wanted. "But," she began, "don't you love Claire more than you love me? If you could be with her, wouldn't you?" "I do love Claire. I do care about what she's going through and I hate to see it. She doesn't deserve it. But to say I love her more than you?" Gilean shook his head. "That's not true, Sanria."
Sanria's heart skipped and she reached out, taking both Gilean and her baby son, Sandorin, into an embrace. As strange was it was, she had to admit to herself that she was deeply in love with Gilean, and though it was different than the deep love she had for Colin, the truth was that she felt her heart more entwined with the man in her arms now.
She pulled back just as Orn came down the stairs. "Oh, hey guys. You... going somewhere, Mom?"
"Ah, I don't think so now. I was just going to go visit Claire and Leandra. I was thinking of helping Claire if she wanted help."
"Oh. Well, is there something I can do to help?"
Current Character Description - Sandorin Eosos
This newborn baby is named after his sadly departed uncle, the brave wizard scholar Sandorin Alhanar. This little boy appears to be in perfect health. His skin is a flawlessly smooth and radiant beige with a touch of pink on the cheeks. His wide eyes are a shade of brown so light as to almost appear golden yellow. This has to be one of the calmest babies ever observed, simply looking out upon the world around him with the reserved interest of an old sage. There is something special about this little one but what it may be is yet to be seen.
Conealing Tensions
This was to be her sixth child and Sanria had lost count in how many pregnancies. Gilean had chosen the name, Sandorin, which Sanria felt perfect. Her brother had been long dead now. He would have been delighted to have a little one named for him. She wondered what he'd think of all this.
They had sped up nature's processes as well, making her pregnancy go much faster than normal. Unlike the times when she'd slept with Thasmudyan, however, this time was thanks to Gilean's magic.
It was a strange day in that Sanria had the cavern to herself. Orn was at the castle, Mirin was off with the bubbly and excited twins, Colin had taken Nioma out to play, and Gilean was off with Matinus - bonding. She had been through having children before, so the sensation was not new. She felt the contractions and her water break, and knew she had a little time before things grew intense. She didn't want the family rushing back with worry. She reached out to Enmach.
A mere hour later, she was looking into the eyes of her son. He, too, seemed to take her in before falling asleep. He had only cried for a moment - the indignity of being nude - before going utterly calm. Enmach left congratulations in her wake, and Sanria was left with her son only moments before everyone came back.
Though happiness seemed to be the prevailing sentiment, Sanria could see the sorrow of Colin's face that she'd be spending more time with Gilean and Sandorin, and the hurt on Gilean's face that she hadn't called him to tend the birth. Then - something on both of their faces, buried under their joys and kindnesses - worry.
They had sped up nature's processes as well, making her pregnancy go much faster than normal. Unlike the times when she'd slept with Thasmudyan, however, this time was thanks to Gilean's magic.
It was a strange day in that Sanria had the cavern to herself. Orn was at the castle, Mirin was off with the bubbly and excited twins, Colin had taken Nioma out to play, and Gilean was off with Matinus - bonding. She had been through having children before, so the sensation was not new. She felt the contractions and her water break, and knew she had a little time before things grew intense. She didn't want the family rushing back with worry. She reached out to Enmach.
A mere hour later, she was looking into the eyes of her son. He, too, seemed to take her in before falling asleep. He had only cried for a moment - the indignity of being nude - before going utterly calm. Enmach left congratulations in her wake, and Sanria was left with her son only moments before everyone came back.
Though happiness seemed to be the prevailing sentiment, Sanria could see the sorrow of Colin's face that she'd be spending more time with Gilean and Sandorin, and the hurt on Gilean's face that she hadn't called him to tend the birth. Then - something on both of their faces, buried under their joys and kindnesses - worry.
Sandorin
Matinus looked down at the little sleeping baby and scrunched up his face and tilted his head. Babies weren't exactly his favorites - Reggie and Regina were a little bit different because they were his niece and nephew - but Sandorin, this was his half-brother. He could feel a strange calm from the little baby in front of him, like he was a lot older than he was really.
Sandorin opened his eyes just a bit and looked up at Matinus. It was freaky. He looked down to see Nioma come in and lean her face against the bars of the crib. "He's little, huh?" she asked.
"Yeah, he'll get bigger though."
"Will we be able to play with him?"
Matinus shrugged. "Probably you will, but I don't know if
I'm going to play with him."
"Why not?" Nioma squeezed her face into the bars and danced about on one leg as she looked at her half-brother.
"I'm older than you are."
"So? Mister Bunny is older than me too, and he still plays with me."
"Mister Bunny is a rabbit, not a boy."
"Mister Bunny is a mister."
Matinus smirked and left the baby behind, walking through Sandorin's bedroom, through Nioma's, and back to his own. He could tell his dad was really excited about the little baby - his baby with Sanria - which made him a little sad. He didn't seem to love him or Nioma as much as he already loved Sandorin. He could feel his dad worrying, too, like jealously worrying.
Matinus had already talked to Colin about being so afraid he made Sanria tired, but there was something a little wrong and he couldn't really figure it out. Colin felt afraid and said he thought he was going to lose Sanria to his dad, his dad felt jealous and worried, and Sanria - he just felt this weird confusion. Then, Nioma, always excitable and strange with how she could see stuff that wasn't visible. Just the other day she said Sanria's belly was sparkling. Then Sandorin... the weirdest calm baby Matinus had ever seen.
He walked upstairs and went to Orn and Mirin, but they were busy with Reggie and Regina. They were busy with them a lot. He walked outside and sat by the stream. There was a strange uneasiness that was floating around. Something too weighty for a twelve-year-old boy to worry about.
Sandorin opened his eyes just a bit and looked up at Matinus. It was freaky. He looked down to see Nioma come in and lean her face against the bars of the crib. "He's little, huh?" she asked.
"Yeah, he'll get bigger though."
"Will we be able to play with him?"
Matinus shrugged. "Probably you will, but I don't know if
I'm going to play with him."
"Why not?" Nioma squeezed her face into the bars and danced about on one leg as she looked at her half-brother.
"I'm older than you are."
"So? Mister Bunny is older than me too, and he still plays with me."
"Mister Bunny is a rabbit, not a boy."
"Mister Bunny is a mister."
Matinus smirked and left the baby behind, walking through Sandorin's bedroom, through Nioma's, and back to his own. He could tell his dad was really excited about the little baby - his baby with Sanria - which made him a little sad. He didn't seem to love him or Nioma as much as he already loved Sandorin. He could feel his dad worrying, too, like jealously worrying.
Matinus had already talked to Colin about being so afraid he made Sanria tired, but there was something a little wrong and he couldn't really figure it out. Colin felt afraid and said he thought he was going to lose Sanria to his dad, his dad felt jealous and worried, and Sanria - he just felt this weird confusion. Then, Nioma, always excitable and strange with how she could see stuff that wasn't visible. Just the other day she said Sanria's belly was sparkling. Then Sandorin... the weirdest calm baby Matinus had ever seen.
He walked upstairs and went to Orn and Mirin, but they were busy with Reggie and Regina. They were busy with them a lot. He walked outside and sat by the stream. There was a strange uneasiness that was floating around. Something too weighty for a twelve-year-old boy to worry about.
Old Character Description - Sandorin Alhanar
RIP
SANDORIN
He was a devoted brother, scholar, and friend who gave his life for those he loved. We shall miss you always.
SANDORIN
He was a devoted brother, scholar, and friend who gave his life for those he loved. We shall miss you always.
Bathing on the Bastion
She couldn’t escape. All of Sanria’s limbs had withered while in
stasis – her legs and arms were so thin they could scarce support her
weight, and even that was dangerously low. “Please… make it stop… Make
it stop!” In her mind, flashes of Visha’s ship combined with flashes of
her own ship and flicked back in time to flashes of her own ship. None
of it made any sense – only that this certainly had to mean danger.
Throm carried her into his ship amidst her protests. She tried to chant herself into believing it would all be alright – but it was barely working. Panic sat at the edges of her mind, toying with the threads of her sanity. Amidst Throm’s questioning – his face became mixed with so many from her past. She couldn’t keep any of it straight… he was Throm, then Tarran, then Colin, then Visha, then Thasmudyan, then Havok, then Sandorin…
“What is this dimension of which you speak?” Throm and his voice cut into her mind’s dissimulation.
“No. No. I won't tell you. I won't have anyone go there. I won't. You'll die. If you don't have Colin... or Visha...” And it was true, without a guide, Throm would be as good as lost.
They both argued until Sanria could take no more. There was no further discussion as Throm led Sanria to the bathing hall and the healer on the ship. Throm excused himself as Sanria dropped her robes to the floor. She had no shame, no cares of how she might appear. In the water she watched the turbulent bubbles as the healer looked her over in absolute silence. In her mind, Sanria was here, then in the Illuminati clan Jacuzzi, then home in her tub, then here again…
Throm carried her into his ship amidst her protests. She tried to chant herself into believing it would all be alright – but it was barely working. Panic sat at the edges of her mind, toying with the threads of her sanity. Amidst Throm’s questioning – his face became mixed with so many from her past. She couldn’t keep any of it straight… he was Throm, then Tarran, then Colin, then Visha, then Thasmudyan, then Havok, then Sandorin…
“What is this dimension of which you speak?” Throm and his voice cut into her mind’s dissimulation.
“No. No. I won't tell you. I won't have anyone go there. I won't. You'll die. If you don't have Colin... or Visha...” And it was true, without a guide, Throm would be as good as lost.
They both argued until Sanria could take no more. There was no further discussion as Throm led Sanria to the bathing hall and the healer on the ship. Throm excused himself as Sanria dropped her robes to the floor. She had no shame, no cares of how she might appear. In the water she watched the turbulent bubbles as the healer looked her over in absolute silence. In her mind, Sanria was here, then in the Illuminati clan Jacuzzi, then home in her tub, then here again…
Vanishing... (1-3)
Sanria's hand slowly went back to her whip as she asked, "Where's Sandorin?"
"I don't know... he disappeared. What... what has happened? Please, tell me, what have I done?"
"You probably killed him, you monster. Where is he?"
Sanria's whip unfurled and the tips clattered down with a jingle upon the stone floor. Small electric-like arcs of fire lapped the length of the leather - activated by the user. Sanria's eyes darkened. She had a missing daughter, no lover, a missing brother, and a vile being sitting right at her feet upon which she could release her fury for not only all of those things, but the things Visha had done to her in her past. She lifted her hand and the vines enclosed the slumping figure on the floor. "I wished I could have killed you a long time ago, Visha. Threatening those I love... making me do those... those... horrible things."
"Please, I need your help. I didn't realize what had happened."
"Of course you didn't," Sanria spat.
"In my mind... I saw him in there... and the other."
She flicked her whip, barely slicing into Colin's cheek. "Lies. I tell you this much, you're not going to hurt my daughter. I'll see you dead and gone long before that."
"Emalia. Where is Emalia! Is she alright?"
Sanria's heart flared with rage. Of all the audacious things he could have said... "Oh you evil swine!" Sanria's whip found its tips slicing through the flesh of Colin's chin, fire dancing brightly before simmering down, searing the open wound before going out. "Filth!"
"Listen to me! Please! I didn't know what was inside of me but Sandorin took it out. He went into my mind..."
Sanria looked at Colin now as if for the first time. Her breath caused her shoulders to rise and fall angrily as her uncertainty worked its way through her. Finally, she let the whip drop to the ground and waved a hand, dismissing the vines from her victim. "It was not me," he continued. "Well, the old me, but worse. Whatever it was, Sandorin removed it. I finally realized it was there, he helped me to see, and I was able to help him."
"Then where is Sandorin, and where is that... thing?" Sanria whispered. She looked over with enough time to see the wound on Colin's chin ooze a bit of blood onto the floor. She reached to her pouch with regret, and pulled out several vials of salve.
"I don't know. I remember falling to the floor, I looked up and saw him for only a moment before he vanished." Colin rose and approached Sanria. "Sanria, please. Where is Emalia?"
"She's gone, Colin. To where... no one knows. None can find her."
Sanria dabbed Colin's chin with a paste of stinking herbal salve. She kept her eyes locked on the wound, feeling measurably more at ease knowing he did not have Visha in him any longer, but the worry pressed on her with her wayward brother being gone.
"Throm went into the lifestream to run tests," Sanria said, talking mainly to herself.
"Apparently that black makou is just as bad as I assumed."
"When? When did this happen?" Colin asked, never having heard Sanria's comment.
"When? You remember none of this? She's been done almost seven days."
"Seven days!? But just last night I was there with her!"
"No... you were not. We've all tried reaching her, and even Throm went to Grobnak to question him."
"Throm gave me that black makou, then you had me tangled."
"Colin... that was a week ago. Though, we haven't had any other success... and indeed... have had failures." Sanria immediately looked down, her lips tight, her thoughts on Throm. "Throm figures you and he shared the same odd dream," Sanria said, slightly changing the subject. "Some fellow, Halethiel, was in them."Colin's eyes widened. "Sanria... in the dream... there was another in my dream."
"Another?"
"My shadow, it spoke to this Halethiel, and he to it."
"You saw this man then?"
The two continued speaking, discussing Visha, Halethiel, the dream, and the lack of a body for Emalia. It was then that Colin said something that chilled Sanria to the core. "I took her to another plane before, when I was trying to keep her safe." The admission set both of them on a path to Colin's airship and a piece of his past.
Sanria was kept blindfolded, but the sounds she heard - the moans, the screams, the growling - sent her to the edge of her sanity. She wanted nothing more than to rip the blindfold from her eyes and defend herself, but as Colin informed her... to do so might find her lost in the planar vortex forever.
She could not tell how many places they went, nor how long time passed. Sanria could barely send out her thoughts to seek for her daughter - so terrifying was the trip. But after unknown time spent, there was only silence to greet each request. Emalia was obviously not here. But the idea of planes got Sanria thinking.
"She has to be in a plane somewhere. When we were in one plane, I could not detect anything in the others... I could not feel them even existing. If Sandorin were here, he might know how to better look for her... but..."
Sanria plopped into a chair, utterly exhausted from the strain. "How many more people have to go away," she lamented.
"None, we will find her, find them both. We just have to think this through. Who saw her last?"
A shudder sliced through Sanria as she realized just who she was helping here. It was immediate that she had to remember... this was not Visha. "You did."
"Then we have to assume that I... Visha that is... is responsible."
"It sounds almost foolish to suggest... and I don't think it's possible to do... but... do you think he could have taken her to the dream? In... his dream?"
"I just don't know. How could he? I mean, I can't even use magic. I couldn't... could I?"
"No. Not without something powerful to get her there."
Sanria's thoughts never strenthened into more. Perhaps she might have placed what powerful thing could have let Visha take Emalia into a dream - but she had never heard of such an event, let alone anything that could have allowed such a thing to happen. No, her next thoughts were of Halethiel, and who might know this man. There was only one being she could think of that would begin to have a clue, but Grobnak truly was the last person she wanted to visit.
"I don't know... he disappeared. What... what has happened? Please, tell me, what have I done?"
"You probably killed him, you monster. Where is he?"
Sanria's whip unfurled and the tips clattered down with a jingle upon the stone floor. Small electric-like arcs of fire lapped the length of the leather - activated by the user. Sanria's eyes darkened. She had a missing daughter, no lover, a missing brother, and a vile being sitting right at her feet upon which she could release her fury for not only all of those things, but the things Visha had done to her in her past. She lifted her hand and the vines enclosed the slumping figure on the floor. "I wished I could have killed you a long time ago, Visha. Threatening those I love... making me do those... those... horrible things."
"Please, I need your help. I didn't realize what had happened."
"Of course you didn't," Sanria spat.
"In my mind... I saw him in there... and the other."
She flicked her whip, barely slicing into Colin's cheek. "Lies. I tell you this much, you're not going to hurt my daughter. I'll see you dead and gone long before that."
"Emalia. Where is Emalia! Is she alright?"
Sanria's heart flared with rage. Of all the audacious things he could have said... "Oh you evil swine!" Sanria's whip found its tips slicing through the flesh of Colin's chin, fire dancing brightly before simmering down, searing the open wound before going out. "Filth!"
"Listen to me! Please! I didn't know what was inside of me but Sandorin took it out. He went into my mind..."
Sanria looked at Colin now as if for the first time. Her breath caused her shoulders to rise and fall angrily as her uncertainty worked its way through her. Finally, she let the whip drop to the ground and waved a hand, dismissing the vines from her victim. "It was not me," he continued. "Well, the old me, but worse. Whatever it was, Sandorin removed it. I finally realized it was there, he helped me to see, and I was able to help him."
"Then where is Sandorin, and where is that... thing?" Sanria whispered. She looked over with enough time to see the wound on Colin's chin ooze a bit of blood onto the floor. She reached to her pouch with regret, and pulled out several vials of salve.
"I don't know. I remember falling to the floor, I looked up and saw him for only a moment before he vanished." Colin rose and approached Sanria. "Sanria, please. Where is Emalia?"
"She's gone, Colin. To where... no one knows. None can find her."
Sanria dabbed Colin's chin with a paste of stinking herbal salve. She kept her eyes locked on the wound, feeling measurably more at ease knowing he did not have Visha in him any longer, but the worry pressed on her with her wayward brother being gone.
"Throm went into the lifestream to run tests," Sanria said, talking mainly to herself.
"Apparently that black makou is just as bad as I assumed."
"When? When did this happen?" Colin asked, never having heard Sanria's comment.
"When? You remember none of this? She's been done almost seven days."
"Seven days!? But just last night I was there with her!"
"No... you were not. We've all tried reaching her, and even Throm went to Grobnak to question him."
"Throm gave me that black makou, then you had me tangled."
"Colin... that was a week ago. Though, we haven't had any other success... and indeed... have had failures." Sanria immediately looked down, her lips tight, her thoughts on Throm. "Throm figures you and he shared the same odd dream," Sanria said, slightly changing the subject. "Some fellow, Halethiel, was in them."Colin's eyes widened. "Sanria... in the dream... there was another in my dream."
"Another?"
"My shadow, it spoke to this Halethiel, and he to it."
"You saw this man then?"
The two continued speaking, discussing Visha, Halethiel, the dream, and the lack of a body for Emalia. It was then that Colin said something that chilled Sanria to the core. "I took her to another plane before, when I was trying to keep her safe." The admission set both of them on a path to Colin's airship and a piece of his past.
Sanria was kept blindfolded, but the sounds she heard - the moans, the screams, the growling - sent her to the edge of her sanity. She wanted nothing more than to rip the blindfold from her eyes and defend herself, but as Colin informed her... to do so might find her lost in the planar vortex forever.
She could not tell how many places they went, nor how long time passed. Sanria could barely send out her thoughts to seek for her daughter - so terrifying was the trip. But after unknown time spent, there was only silence to greet each request. Emalia was obviously not here. But the idea of planes got Sanria thinking.
"She has to be in a plane somewhere. When we were in one plane, I could not detect anything in the others... I could not feel them even existing. If Sandorin were here, he might know how to better look for her... but..."
Sanria plopped into a chair, utterly exhausted from the strain. "How many more people have to go away," she lamented.
"None, we will find her, find them both. We just have to think this through. Who saw her last?"
A shudder sliced through Sanria as she realized just who she was helping here. It was immediate that she had to remember... this was not Visha. "You did."
"Then we have to assume that I... Visha that is... is responsible."
"It sounds almost foolish to suggest... and I don't think it's possible to do... but... do you think he could have taken her to the dream? In... his dream?"
"I just don't know. How could he? I mean, I can't even use magic. I couldn't... could I?"
"No. Not without something powerful to get her there."
Sanria's thoughts never strenthened into more. Perhaps she might have placed what powerful thing could have let Visha take Emalia into a dream - but she had never heard of such an event, let alone anything that could have allowed such a thing to happen. No, her next thoughts were of Halethiel, and who might know this man. There was only one being she could think of that would begin to have a clue, but Grobnak truly was the last person she wanted to visit.
Preponderance of Evidence
It was not completely dark when Sanria began her walk home from Throm's house. She walked alone, her head bowed in deep reflective thought, her hands gripping the strap on her pack. She wanted nothing more for him to have simply said 'No.' Was he aware of what it was going to do to her? 'No.' If only. But they both would have known it was a lie, and rather than have that pain, she'd take the pain of the truth.
There was no way she could stay with a man that took chances as if they were tissues in a box. She had risked her life and Thasmudyan's to find him, to save him in the North. She had gotten his word that she would be with him no matter what - but like the proverbial leopard, there was nothing she could do. She couldn't blame herself, she simply had to face the facts... she was growing older and she would be doing it alone.
Sanria thought, then, of Emalia. Perhaps, just perhaps, she would be able to find her daughter and bring her home. It would be like it was for so many years, but this time, they could share one another's company. Sanria, Emalia, and the little baby girl... her granddaughter. Sanria's mouth twitched into an uneasy smile, even as a tear escaped her eye. She'd envelop them in a cocooned world and shut out all the rest of the misery.
At the cavern finally, Sanria headed to Sandorin's laboratory. For now, she and her brother would have a chance to question the horror that was Visha and find out what in the hells happened to her daughter. She walked in and quickly looked around... Colin sat on the floor, looking up at her while Sandorin... was no where to be found.
There was no way she could stay with a man that took chances as if they were tissues in a box. She had risked her life and Thasmudyan's to find him, to save him in the North. She had gotten his word that she would be with him no matter what - but like the proverbial leopard, there was nothing she could do. She couldn't blame herself, she simply had to face the facts... she was growing older and she would be doing it alone.
Sanria thought, then, of Emalia. Perhaps, just perhaps, she would be able to find her daughter and bring her home. It would be like it was for so many years, but this time, they could share one another's company. Sanria, Emalia, and the little baby girl... her granddaughter. Sanria's mouth twitched into an uneasy smile, even as a tear escaped her eye. She'd envelop them in a cocooned world and shut out all the rest of the misery.
At the cavern finally, Sanria headed to Sandorin's laboratory. For now, she and her brother would have a chance to question the horror that was Visha and find out what in the hells happened to her daughter. She walked in and quickly looked around... Colin sat on the floor, looking up at her while Sandorin... was no where to be found.
Extraction *Part 1-3*
Sandorin paced as he stared at Colin's motionless body. It lay suspended, inches above the floor of the study, held in stasis by a shimmering transparent field. "How could this have happened." he wondered to himself. The plan had seemed flawless. Years ago, as Sandorin had grown wiser he had begun to realize that no matter how much knowledge Visha may have been able to offer, he was just too dangerous to be allowed to continue to roam free. After all, Sandorin had a family to protect, as did so many others in the realms. He had felt it his duty to do something. Tricking him into being locked in this body, incapable of evil acts, even evil thoughts... it was a perfect solution. Sandorin had been so sure of himself.
How could he have known this body would actually become alive. Sandorin's enchantments were flawless on an animated corpse but on a living being... It just wasn't supposed to be that way. And now, to find Visha here, right in the midst of his family, married to his niece, the father of her baby even! The irony of the whole thing was sickening.
Yet, there was something more than that here. He wasn't just dealing with the same Visha in this body. Somehow there were two within this one mind. The Colin that Emalia loved, who had answered Sandorin's questions so truthfully, and Visha just as demented and treacherous as ever but now seeting with a long cultivated hatred. Sandorin didn't know exactly what interaction of magic and lifeforce could have caused this to happen but there was one thing he did know. Emalia loved Colin and Colin felt the same for her.
There was only one thing for Sandorin to do. He had gotten them all in this situation by his actions, now it was going to be up to him to make things right.
Sandorin stopped his pacing at Colin's head, the large man's eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. With a gesture of his hand the body, still contained within the stasis field, rose higher off the floor to chest level. Sandorin looked down into the face before him. The expression was so serene and peaceful, belying the schism contained within. Love and hate, protection and malice. It was up to Sandorin to seperate these two.
At times like this Sandorin was grateful for how many years of his life he had dedicated to finding strength and power in all its forms. He may not have a wife, or children of his own to show for it, but he had knowledge and now that could be used to protect those around him.
Though posessing no particular natural psionic talent of his own he had studied the subject thoroughly. He had a feeling he was going to need every bit of that education now. Sandorin raised his opalescent right hand, reaching through the shimmering field, and laid it gently upon Colin's forehead. Though it was the result of a great tragedy, this magical apendage of his had aided him greatly through the years. Now, just as much as his knowledge, Sandorin was counting on its affinities to get him through this.
Sandorin took several deep breaths to steady his body and focus his resolve. With the final cleansing breath he closed hs eyes. The pearly white hand resting on Colin's head began to glow, pulsing slightly with the beat of Sandorin's heart. A moment later the fingers began to shimmer and then spread, almost as if melting upon the large man's skin, before sinking entirely under the surface.
Sandorin was immediately immersed within a turbulent malestrom. Light and dark swirled about in a chaotic dance. The dark thrashing violently against the light. The light momentarily broken apart before rejoining and repulsing the dark. The dark was viscious and dominating, the light resilient but fractured. Sandorin could tell that it would only be a matter of time before the light would be broken apart entirely, leaving only the dark as a cohesive whole.
Sandorin took action. He focused his will into a shimmering, pearly net. It swept through the expanse before him to collect the darkness. But something was wrong, it wasn't working. Like trying to collect oil floating in water the darkness was slipping through, trailing like little beads that quickly rejoined. The new presence was now noticed and the darkness reacted. It attacked the net, crashing in waves against it, threatening to snap the shimmering strands.
A stabbing pain shot through Sandorin's mind but he steadied himself. With a supreme effort he refocused his will and the shimmering net tightened, forming into a tighter weave. Again it swept through the expanse, this time collecting the dark as it went. But the darkness did not go quietly, it thrashed and plunged mercilessly against the shimmering weave and for Sandorin the pain was excrutiating. For a moment he faltered, and a hole opened.
Just as the darkness began to spill through the light finally came into action. It slammed into the darkness forcing it back through the opening and enveloped the weave, pushing it along. The pain immediately lessened for Sandorin and he quickly enveloped the last of the darkness within the weave. With one tremendous strain that felt like lifting the dead weight of a horse Sandorin pulled himself back from the expanse.
He opened his eyes and blinked, momentarily blinded by the sting of sweat running into them. His chest heaved as he gasped for breath and his robes clung to his damp skin. He quickly wiped the sweat from his eyes with his left hand and looked before him. Colin's motionless body still floated there and above it Sandorin held his pearlescent right arm aloft. Clenched tightly within his fist was a writhing, smoky black mass. Sandorin permitted a small smile to crack his lips before collapsing to the floor.
How could he have known this body would actually become alive. Sandorin's enchantments were flawless on an animated corpse but on a living being... It just wasn't supposed to be that way. And now, to find Visha here, right in the midst of his family, married to his niece, the father of her baby even! The irony of the whole thing was sickening.
Yet, there was something more than that here. He wasn't just dealing with the same Visha in this body. Somehow there were two within this one mind. The Colin that Emalia loved, who had answered Sandorin's questions so truthfully, and Visha just as demented and treacherous as ever but now seeting with a long cultivated hatred. Sandorin didn't know exactly what interaction of magic and lifeforce could have caused this to happen but there was one thing he did know. Emalia loved Colin and Colin felt the same for her.
There was only one thing for Sandorin to do. He had gotten them all in this situation by his actions, now it was going to be up to him to make things right.
Sandorin stopped his pacing at Colin's head, the large man's eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. With a gesture of his hand the body, still contained within the stasis field, rose higher off the floor to chest level. Sandorin looked down into the face before him. The expression was so serene and peaceful, belying the schism contained within. Love and hate, protection and malice. It was up to Sandorin to seperate these two.
At times like this Sandorin was grateful for how many years of his life he had dedicated to finding strength and power in all its forms. He may not have a wife, or children of his own to show for it, but he had knowledge and now that could be used to protect those around him.
Though posessing no particular natural psionic talent of his own he had studied the subject thoroughly. He had a feeling he was going to need every bit of that education now. Sandorin raised his opalescent right hand, reaching through the shimmering field, and laid it gently upon Colin's forehead. Though it was the result of a great tragedy, this magical apendage of his had aided him greatly through the years. Now, just as much as his knowledge, Sandorin was counting on its affinities to get him through this.
Sandorin took several deep breaths to steady his body and focus his resolve. With the final cleansing breath he closed hs eyes. The pearly white hand resting on Colin's head began to glow, pulsing slightly with the beat of Sandorin's heart. A moment later the fingers began to shimmer and then spread, almost as if melting upon the large man's skin, before sinking entirely under the surface.
Sandorin was immediately immersed within a turbulent malestrom. Light and dark swirled about in a chaotic dance. The dark thrashing violently against the light. The light momentarily broken apart before rejoining and repulsing the dark. The dark was viscious and dominating, the light resilient but fractured. Sandorin could tell that it would only be a matter of time before the light would be broken apart entirely, leaving only the dark as a cohesive whole.
Sandorin took action. He focused his will into a shimmering, pearly net. It swept through the expanse before him to collect the darkness. But something was wrong, it wasn't working. Like trying to collect oil floating in water the darkness was slipping through, trailing like little beads that quickly rejoined. The new presence was now noticed and the darkness reacted. It attacked the net, crashing in waves against it, threatening to snap the shimmering strands.
A stabbing pain shot through Sandorin's mind but he steadied himself. With a supreme effort he refocused his will and the shimmering net tightened, forming into a tighter weave. Again it swept through the expanse, this time collecting the dark as it went. But the darkness did not go quietly, it thrashed and plunged mercilessly against the shimmering weave and for Sandorin the pain was excrutiating. For a moment he faltered, and a hole opened.
Just as the darkness began to spill through the light finally came into action. It slammed into the darkness forcing it back through the opening and enveloped the weave, pushing it along. The pain immediately lessened for Sandorin and he quickly enveloped the last of the darkness within the weave. With one tremendous strain that felt like lifting the dead weight of a horse Sandorin pulled himself back from the expanse.
He opened his eyes and blinked, momentarily blinded by the sting of sweat running into them. His chest heaved as he gasped for breath and his robes clung to his damp skin. He quickly wiped the sweat from his eyes with his left hand and looked before him. Colin's motionless body still floated there and above it Sandorin held his pearlescent right arm aloft. Clenched tightly within his fist was a writhing, smoky black mass. Sandorin permitted a small smile to crack his lips before collapsing to the floor.
Thoughts in a bubble
Sanria sank into the bathtub at her home. Though Sandorin and Colin were nearby, she felt nothing would change if she took a few minutes to collect her fleeing thoughts. Her talk with Lithanus, Throm's son, had left her feeling confused, worried, angry, and more than anything, afraid. They had no idea where Throm was, and with his having given black makou to Emalia, Colin turning out to be -at least part- of some evil entity, and Emalia seeming to have vanished off the face of Toril all together - Sanria needed this moment more than ever.
The bubbles popped in a steady hiss around her as she finally touched the bottom of the tub. Sanria leaned back and closed her eyes, letting out a deep sigh. Her thoughts brushed over the fact that both she and Lithanus had discussed - no body. Emalia couldn't be dead, otherwise her essence would have been detected or a body located... and neither had come to pass. No one could locate Emalia, and that could be viewed both as a good thing... and a bad.
Sanria's mind then shifted to Throm. Applying the selfsame logic, she knew he could not be dead. There was no body, there was no sense of his essence. But why? Why had he gone off without a word to her, again? Indeed, had he gone of his own will, and was he now in the same place that Emalia was?
While the hot water did rest her tight muscles, Sanria still had a few tears slide down her cheeks. She pulled a wet hand from the water to rest it upon her forehead, sending rivulets of water along her skin and in the same channels as her tears. Why was this happening to her again? Was it something she had done to offend the Gods? She began to fully contemplate breaking off her engagement to Throm (if she ever found him to do such a thing), and suffering only the loss of love rather than the loss of a lover, even though it was already taking place.
Sitting up, Sanria hunched to where her tired face had almost hit the water and began to sob. Memories, hopes, dreams - each and all danced through her head in a parade of visions until one voice broke through the muffled voices of thought. It came to her like a giant bell ringing clearly through the air. 'Sanria...'
Whatever self-loathing and piteous feelings Sanria held for her situation fled like night at the touch of dawn. She lept from the tub, water flying in spatters upon the floor. She nearly fell to the ground, and snatching her towel, she wrapped it around her body and sped to the door. 'THROM!'
The bubbles popped in a steady hiss around her as she finally touched the bottom of the tub. Sanria leaned back and closed her eyes, letting out a deep sigh. Her thoughts brushed over the fact that both she and Lithanus had discussed - no body. Emalia couldn't be dead, otherwise her essence would have been detected or a body located... and neither had come to pass. No one could locate Emalia, and that could be viewed both as a good thing... and a bad.
Sanria's mind then shifted to Throm. Applying the selfsame logic, she knew he could not be dead. There was no body, there was no sense of his essence. But why? Why had he gone off without a word to her, again? Indeed, had he gone of his own will, and was he now in the same place that Emalia was?
While the hot water did rest her tight muscles, Sanria still had a few tears slide down her cheeks. She pulled a wet hand from the water to rest it upon her forehead, sending rivulets of water along her skin and in the same channels as her tears. Why was this happening to her again? Was it something she had done to offend the Gods? She began to fully contemplate breaking off her engagement to Throm (if she ever found him to do such a thing), and suffering only the loss of love rather than the loss of a lover, even though it was already taking place.
Sitting up, Sanria hunched to where her tired face had almost hit the water and began to sob. Memories, hopes, dreams - each and all danced through her head in a parade of visions until one voice broke through the muffled voices of thought. It came to her like a giant bell ringing clearly through the air. 'Sanria...'
Whatever self-loathing and piteous feelings Sanria held for her situation fled like night at the touch of dawn. She lept from the tub, water flying in spatters upon the floor. She nearly fell to the ground, and snatching her towel, she wrapped it around her body and sped to the door. 'THROM!'
Multiple Personalities
It didn't take long for Sandorin to arrive and to take a look over the entangled body that lay on the floor. In light of everything, Sanria and Sandorin made little by way of pleasantries; rather, Sanria came right to the point, telling her brother everything.
As they spoke, Colin grew once more in his ire. "Don't you stand there and talk about me like I'm not even here, not LET ME UP!!"
"Something's wrong here," Sandorin said, examining the man before him. "This isn't the same man I saw a few days ago. This is more like...."
"Like?" Sanria questioned at Sandorin's long pause.
"Visha."
Sanria's small bit of focus upon her spell wavered as a blast of what felt like ice hit her. The last name she had expected to hear from Sandorin's mouth was that one. Visha - a shade that long ago had threatened to reveal her feelings for Thasmudyan at a time when she and Thasmudyan were not free to feel such things, not to mention do such things. Visha - a shade that then thought to offer power in return for use of Sanria's body by inhabiting it. No - this was unbearable in all forms. "And you married them," Sanria managed. "What in the hells is wrong with you men?"
Sandorin spent more time explaining to Sanria what had taken place, all the while, her mind turned over the fact she had Colin in her grasp. As Sandorin talked, the vines within Sanria's control tightened. 'How easy it would be to end this,' she thought. 'How easy to spare Emalia whatever pain this demon has in him. 'My wife' indeed.' Only Sandorin's hand on her arm stopped her, and the vines that were steadily squeezing the air from her victim.
"What do we do now?" Sanria asked quietly.
"Well, something has happened with him becoming alive. What if... what if there are two... in him?"
"Well, how does one fix such a thing?" Sanria asked. She truly didn't care, and it apparently came through in her voice.
"I wouldn't even know where to start. But Sanria, I can tell you one thing. The man that I spoke with truly loves Emalia and only wants the best for her. And Emalia feels the same for him... We owe them to try and fix this."
Sandorin placed a sleep spell over Colin, and both he and Sanria continued talking about Emalia long after. Eventually, Sanria allowed the vines recede, and Sandorin levitated the hulking form from the doorway with the promise of doing what he could. In truth, Sanria would have rather taken her son-in-law's life than let Visha roam the realms again - but Sandorin had a point. Also, to kill her daughter's husband... any hope for a smooth relationship with Emalia would end there... if, that was, she was still alive to have that relationship.
As they spoke, Colin grew once more in his ire. "Don't you stand there and talk about me like I'm not even here, not LET ME UP!!"
"Something's wrong here," Sandorin said, examining the man before him. "This isn't the same man I saw a few days ago. This is more like...."
"Like?" Sanria questioned at Sandorin's long pause.
"Visha."
Sanria's small bit of focus upon her spell wavered as a blast of what felt like ice hit her. The last name she had expected to hear from Sandorin's mouth was that one. Visha - a shade that long ago had threatened to reveal her feelings for Thasmudyan at a time when she and Thasmudyan were not free to feel such things, not to mention do such things. Visha - a shade that then thought to offer power in return for use of Sanria's body by inhabiting it. No - this was unbearable in all forms. "And you married them," Sanria managed. "What in the hells is wrong with you men?"
Sandorin spent more time explaining to Sanria what had taken place, all the while, her mind turned over the fact she had Colin in her grasp. As Sandorin talked, the vines within Sanria's control tightened. 'How easy it would be to end this,' she thought. 'How easy to spare Emalia whatever pain this demon has in him. 'My wife' indeed.' Only Sandorin's hand on her arm stopped her, and the vines that were steadily squeezing the air from her victim.
"What do we do now?" Sanria asked quietly.
"Well, something has happened with him becoming alive. What if... what if there are two... in him?"
"Well, how does one fix such a thing?" Sanria asked. She truly didn't care, and it apparently came through in her voice.
"I wouldn't even know where to start. But Sanria, I can tell you one thing. The man that I spoke with truly loves Emalia and only wants the best for her. And Emalia feels the same for him... We owe them to try and fix this."
Sandorin placed a sleep spell over Colin, and both he and Sanria continued talking about Emalia long after. Eventually, Sanria allowed the vines recede, and Sandorin levitated the hulking form from the doorway with the promise of doing what he could. In truth, Sanria would have rather taken her son-in-law's life than let Visha roam the realms again - but Sandorin had a point. Also, to kill her daughter's husband... any hope for a smooth relationship with Emalia would end there... if, that was, she was still alive to have that relationship.
Strange dreams (Pt. 1-4)
Visha lay in bed with Emalia huddled in his arms. They had retired to the bedroom for the purpose of taking a nap, a decision Visha had no part in. He was simply an observer. Trapped within his own little prison. It was not without it's moments though, as he had taken some pleasure in the actions which had followed their arrival in the bedroom, but not nearly as much as if he were in control. Here he found himself, Colin as contented as could be and consequently supressing him more than ever, as they drifted off to sleep.
He soon found himself in a lush, beautiful paradise. However, Visha was not really interested in the wondrous, invigorating colors which showed this place to be more than than real. He was instead more intrigued to find himself fairly seperated from his body, existing as his own shadow.
Apparently Colin was still in control of his body since he was holding a conversation with one who called himself Halethiel. Visha simply observed the exchange from over his body's shoulder, the content of the conversation of no perticular interest other than the fact his unborn daughter was mentioned. His mere observation was not for long once Halethiel addressed him directly. "State your name and purpose, creature."
They exchanged a few words, Colin finally noticing Visha but obviously not comprehending his signifigance. All for the better, Visha thought, subversion is much easier accomplished when unnoticed. Soon it was apparent that Halethiel was done speaking to Colin as he enclosed him within the walls of a doorless cottage. Visha found himself relatively free of of Colin for the first time in what seemed to be ages, yet his form still tapered off underneath the cottage walls.
Halethiel spoke directly to him, "He is a fragment of you, you say? And what are you... Visha?" Visha hesitated. He had no idea who this individual was yet he obviously commanded some power here. He decided to see where this would lead. "I am Visha, as I said and that is but a fragment of me. One that has grown far too strong."
"How did you come to be trapped this way?"
One word. "Sandorin." The seething anger that filled Visha at the simple mention of the name was immediate.
"Sandorin? Who is this, Sandorin?"
"An ungrateful vermin."
"Is this child of your... fragments, yours as well?"
Visha's rage was immediate at the audacity of the question. "His child!? HIS!? That is my child! MINE!", Visha seethed, "They are both mine! He is but a weakling allowed to gain power... but make no mistake, I am Visha. HE is not me!"
Halethiel simply observed Visha's outburst, only showing mild interest.
"You said that Sandorin put you in this state."
"Yes... Sandorin. That vile betrayer. After all I showed him... HE was the one who came begging to ME!"
Visha was consumed by his own rage. His thoughts swam between the incredulous idea that Colin was anything more than an insignificant obstacle and what he would do to Sandorin if only given the chance. He was so consumed he barely noticed as Halethiel punctured his own wrist and allowed some of his blood to drain into an object he held mostly concealed within his other hand. Soon a faint palpitating sound could be heard emanating from the object. "And how did he do this to you, that you should be the shadow and the fragment the master?"
Caught up, Visha found himself relating the events. "He only had to do one final task for me. It was to repay me for everything I had shown him. Simply create my new body. A new vessel for me to inhabit. But he did... something. Once I entered it I could not leave and I was imprisoned. The betrayal. Almost every thought I had was countered. In the end, it was him left."
"Intriguing."
"NO! Unthinkable!"
The conversation then turned to matters of little consequence like how Visha died, the need for balance, and how Visha had allowed Sandorin's betrayal to come to pass. Then Halethiel posed a question, "Would you like your revenge?"
To Visha the question was ridiculous, "Oh, have no doubt, I WILL get my revenge."
Halethiel said nothing. He lifted his left hand in the air, the blood from his wounded wrist trickling down his arm, and a shaft of pure light streaked from the sky, severing a small portion of Visha's shadow form from the rest. Visha howled in pain and lashed out at Halethiel with a strike intended to kill yet his insubstantial form passed right through the man. Halethiel paid the attack no heed, simply picking up the fragment of shadow that had fallen to the ground and placing it in his palm with the pulsating object. Visha seethed with fury. "How dare you!"
Halethiel spoke to him calmly, "Calm yourself, Visha. In pain there is salvation. As long as your friend controls you, how will you ever know the joy of possessing your woman? Or raising your child to be a truly great wizard like yourself, to do your bidding?"
His child. This led to conversation about Visha's late son and why he had had his current body created. They then degenerated into arguing about how Visha had allowed Sandorin's betrayal. "Some part of you desired to be reborn in this state, or else Colin would not be here in this manner."
"No! Don't you listen! It was Sandorin who did this you idiot!" Visha was almost entirely out of patience with this man. "This is ridiculous."
Halethiel paused a moment before asking, "What would it take to free yourself from Colin, Visha? To make him the fragment once more, and you the master?"
Visha thought the question moronic. "If I knew that it would be done, don't you think? I don't know how this happened... somehow with the spell... and then me becoming alive."
"You have never had a moment of control since the fragment has taken control of the soul?"
"Yes.. .when he is under stress he weakens. He can be influenced. But I cannot gain control... at least, not yet."
"Then you must ask yourself how best to put him under stress."
Visha thought on this for a long moment while Halethiel watched him patiently. "My family... Emalia and the child..."
"What of it?"
"They are his closest attachments. But they are mine." Visha found himself at a loss for how to bend this to his advantage without harming what was his.
"There is something I want from you, Visha.", Halethiel stated plainly,
"If you grant it, you will be rewarded with your freedom."
"How can you promise me my freedom? You know less than I about my situation." Visha scoffed outwardly at the offer yet could not help but be intrigued.
"If your family were to disappear and Colin did not know where they were, but you did, Visha, would that not put him under stress? Would that not free you to influence him?"
Visha's interest was growing. "Perhaps... You can make that happen?"
"I can, but only with your help."
"Go on."
It was then that Halethiel divulged his plan. He revealed the object he held in his hand - a black, beating heart. It was the dream symbol of an enchantment that would be placed within Colin/Visha's body. Immediately upon the next time they fell asleep the enchantment would trigger, simultaneously waking them and creating an illusion of dreaming sleep. However, Visha would be exempted from the illusion, leaving him temporarily in sole control of his body. He could then lead Emalia through a waiting portal back to this place where Colin would be unable to find her.
The plan seemed surprisingly viable yet Visha was doubtful, after all, what motivation did this stranger have in helping him. It was then that his fee was revealed. Visha needed return with not only Emalia but black makou as well. It would be delivered to him and he need only bring it through.
The bargain seemed fair enough and after the requisite threats from both sides to ensure loalty they agreed upon it. Halethiel cautioned him, "Know that you have one night only to reclaim your freedom. Do not waste it."
"Don't worry about that, I will do what is needed."
"This is going to hurt.", Halethiel warned, and as Visha steeled himself he thrust the dark heart directly into his chest, chanting a few arcane words as he did. "I will await your return, Visha. May your quest be unopposed." Satisfied with a successful implantation Visha nodded. "I'll make sure it is not."
The preperations complete, Halethiel dissolved the cabin seperating Colin with a single gesture. Then, with a simple snap of his fingers, they found themselves in normal sleep.
He soon found himself in a lush, beautiful paradise. However, Visha was not really interested in the wondrous, invigorating colors which showed this place to be more than than real. He was instead more intrigued to find himself fairly seperated from his body, existing as his own shadow.
Apparently Colin was still in control of his body since he was holding a conversation with one who called himself Halethiel. Visha simply observed the exchange from over his body's shoulder, the content of the conversation of no perticular interest other than the fact his unborn daughter was mentioned. His mere observation was not for long once Halethiel addressed him directly. "State your name and purpose, creature."
They exchanged a few words, Colin finally noticing Visha but obviously not comprehending his signifigance. All for the better, Visha thought, subversion is much easier accomplished when unnoticed. Soon it was apparent that Halethiel was done speaking to Colin as he enclosed him within the walls of a doorless cottage. Visha found himself relatively free of of Colin for the first time in what seemed to be ages, yet his form still tapered off underneath the cottage walls.
Halethiel spoke directly to him, "He is a fragment of you, you say? And what are you... Visha?" Visha hesitated. He had no idea who this individual was yet he obviously commanded some power here. He decided to see where this would lead. "I am Visha, as I said and that is but a fragment of me. One that has grown far too strong."
"How did you come to be trapped this way?"
One word. "Sandorin." The seething anger that filled Visha at the simple mention of the name was immediate.
"Sandorin? Who is this, Sandorin?"
"An ungrateful vermin."
"Is this child of your... fragments, yours as well?"
Visha's rage was immediate at the audacity of the question. "His child!? HIS!? That is my child! MINE!", Visha seethed, "They are both mine! He is but a weakling allowed to gain power... but make no mistake, I am Visha. HE is not me!"
Halethiel simply observed Visha's outburst, only showing mild interest.
"You said that Sandorin put you in this state."
"Yes... Sandorin. That vile betrayer. After all I showed him... HE was the one who came begging to ME!"
Visha was consumed by his own rage. His thoughts swam between the incredulous idea that Colin was anything more than an insignificant obstacle and what he would do to Sandorin if only given the chance. He was so consumed he barely noticed as Halethiel punctured his own wrist and allowed some of his blood to drain into an object he held mostly concealed within his other hand. Soon a faint palpitating sound could be heard emanating from the object. "And how did he do this to you, that you should be the shadow and the fragment the master?"
Caught up, Visha found himself relating the events. "He only had to do one final task for me. It was to repay me for everything I had shown him. Simply create my new body. A new vessel for me to inhabit. But he did... something. Once I entered it I could not leave and I was imprisoned. The betrayal. Almost every thought I had was countered. In the end, it was him left."
"Intriguing."
"NO! Unthinkable!"
The conversation then turned to matters of little consequence like how Visha died, the need for balance, and how Visha had allowed Sandorin's betrayal to come to pass. Then Halethiel posed a question, "Would you like your revenge?"
To Visha the question was ridiculous, "Oh, have no doubt, I WILL get my revenge."
Halethiel said nothing. He lifted his left hand in the air, the blood from his wounded wrist trickling down his arm, and a shaft of pure light streaked from the sky, severing a small portion of Visha's shadow form from the rest. Visha howled in pain and lashed out at Halethiel with a strike intended to kill yet his insubstantial form passed right through the man. Halethiel paid the attack no heed, simply picking up the fragment of shadow that had fallen to the ground and placing it in his palm with the pulsating object. Visha seethed with fury. "How dare you!"
Halethiel spoke to him calmly, "Calm yourself, Visha. In pain there is salvation. As long as your friend controls you, how will you ever know the joy of possessing your woman? Or raising your child to be a truly great wizard like yourself, to do your bidding?"
His child. This led to conversation about Visha's late son and why he had had his current body created. They then degenerated into arguing about how Visha had allowed Sandorin's betrayal. "Some part of you desired to be reborn in this state, or else Colin would not be here in this manner."
"No! Don't you listen! It was Sandorin who did this you idiot!" Visha was almost entirely out of patience with this man. "This is ridiculous."
Halethiel paused a moment before asking, "What would it take to free yourself from Colin, Visha? To make him the fragment once more, and you the master?"
Visha thought the question moronic. "If I knew that it would be done, don't you think? I don't know how this happened... somehow with the spell... and then me becoming alive."
"You have never had a moment of control since the fragment has taken control of the soul?"
"Yes.. .when he is under stress he weakens. He can be influenced. But I cannot gain control... at least, not yet."
"Then you must ask yourself how best to put him under stress."
Visha thought on this for a long moment while Halethiel watched him patiently. "My family... Emalia and the child..."
"What of it?"
"They are his closest attachments. But they are mine." Visha found himself at a loss for how to bend this to his advantage without harming what was his.
"There is something I want from you, Visha.", Halethiel stated plainly,
"If you grant it, you will be rewarded with your freedom."
"How can you promise me my freedom? You know less than I about my situation." Visha scoffed outwardly at the offer yet could not help but be intrigued.
"If your family were to disappear and Colin did not know where they were, but you did, Visha, would that not put him under stress? Would that not free you to influence him?"
Visha's interest was growing. "Perhaps... You can make that happen?"
"I can, but only with your help."
"Go on."
It was then that Halethiel divulged his plan. He revealed the object he held in his hand - a black, beating heart. It was the dream symbol of an enchantment that would be placed within Colin/Visha's body. Immediately upon the next time they fell asleep the enchantment would trigger, simultaneously waking them and creating an illusion of dreaming sleep. However, Visha would be exempted from the illusion, leaving him temporarily in sole control of his body. He could then lead Emalia through a waiting portal back to this place where Colin would be unable to find her.
The plan seemed surprisingly viable yet Visha was doubtful, after all, what motivation did this stranger have in helping him. It was then that his fee was revealed. Visha needed return with not only Emalia but black makou as well. It would be delivered to him and he need only bring it through.
The bargain seemed fair enough and after the requisite threats from both sides to ensure loalty they agreed upon it. Halethiel cautioned him, "Know that you have one night only to reclaim your freedom. Do not waste it."
"Don't worry about that, I will do what is needed."
"This is going to hurt.", Halethiel warned, and as Visha steeled himself he thrust the dark heart directly into his chest, chanting a few arcane words as he did. "I will await your return, Visha. May your quest be unopposed." Satisfied with a successful implantation Visha nodded. "I'll make sure it is not."
The preperations complete, Halethiel dissolved the cabin seperating Colin with a single gesture. Then, with a simple snap of his fingers, they found themselves in normal sleep.
A Dollop Of Truth (1-2)
Emalia sat with Sandorin, still begging. After a few moments, he relented. "The best I can do is force him to speak the truth. He still doesn't use magic, right?"
This question, directed to her as though Colin were nothing but cattle - or not even there, disturbed Emalia. She looked up to Sandorin. "Why not ask him?"
"Because I don't trust him."
Emalia rose from the pew with a new realization. All this time, she hadn't trusted Colin either. She realized finally that she had never honestly given him a chance - always seeing him as somehow second rate, or substandard. The thought made her feel very guilty and deeply ashamed of herself. She walked to her Uncle and looked into his eyes, shaking her head a little. "I trust him." She turned then to Colin. "I'm sorry."
"No need. I expected it."
"I'm so sorry I did this to you. I... you've proven to me how much you really do want all of this... so... let's just go."
Something in the exchange seemed to mark a change in Sandorin as well. His hand landed on Emalia's shoulder with a new gentleness. "No, don't."
With Colin's agreement, and a few words of understanding, Sandorin placed a hand upon Colin's head and incanted a spell. Colin's face became rather blank as Sandorin asked his first question. "Have your goals truly changed from when you were known as Visha?"
"Yes," Colin answered without hesitation.
"What is your aim with Emalia?"
"To be with her for the rest of our lives, to have a family with her, to protect her on her journey."
Emalia didn't notice the look of incomprehension upon her Uncle's face at the answers. Her face had pulled into a smile and her frigidity toward Colin found itself fast melting. He -had- been telling her the truth the entire time. While this compounded her horrid feeling of guilt, it also allowed her to see Colin in a way she never had. As she was digesting this, the voice of her Uncle floated into her mind. "Wait, journey?"
Emalia briefly told Sandorin of the trip she intended to take, though none of what she intended to do once she was there. "You've been talking to one of those Jihad people haven't you? You're not the first person I've heard say they were going ot go off and find some place after talking to one of them. They sure do tend to get people worked up."
"We should just finish the questioning, don't you think?" Emalia asked, attempting to avoid any form of argument with her Uncle since she had just gotten him onto their side. "Colin... is any part of Visha still within you?"
"Yes."
"What part?" Sandorin asked with a scowl.
"All. I am Visha."
Emalia's heart dropped a bit. "Do you still seek power and control?"
"I seek strength enough to protect you. I wish I had control enough to keep you with me."
"What do you mean, keep me with you?" Emalia asked, her worry getting the better of her.
"I have doubt the conviction of your love and feel that I could easily lose you."
Emalia found herself stunned into a momentary silence. If the guilt she felt could have been made into a living being, it would have been heckling her now. She thought back quickly over her past with him, and discovered that she had been much more than obvious with her feelings. She had one final question which would decide for her whether she could continue on knowing Colin was Visha and Visha was Colin. "Have you truly no desire to return to what you once were?"
"No. I have only desire to keep what I have and make it stronger."
Emalia turned to Sandorin, unable to harbor the entire load of blame she was placing upon herself. "Uncle Sandorin... is this sufficient for you? Do you believe him now?"
"As hard as i find it I must believe him," he replied, shaking his head.
"I cannot explain it, perhaps some interaction of the energies and becoming alive..."
"Uncle Sandorin... I have something to ask of you." Emalia had her answers. She knew the truth. Sandorin as well, heard and knew the truth and was apparently so distracted by it he continued talking to himself until interrupted by Emalia's question. She had given her word to Colin, and she intended to keep it. They needed no clergy, nor Gods. Emalia only felt the need for a single witness, in a chapel, to see to the exhange of vows.
Though Sandorin advocated the idea of a proper wedding with clan, family, and friends - Emalia knew such a thing was merely a delay. No more time could be spent, outside of a single obligitory night to the private celebration of marriage. Colin gripped her hands as if he thought she might flee - not that Emalia blamed him with her past record of behavior. None of that mattered now as when they left the chapel on the Estate, it was as Mr. and Mrs. Stone.
This question, directed to her as though Colin were nothing but cattle - or not even there, disturbed Emalia. She looked up to Sandorin. "Why not ask him?"
"Because I don't trust him."
Emalia rose from the pew with a new realization. All this time, she hadn't trusted Colin either. She realized finally that she had never honestly given him a chance - always seeing him as somehow second rate, or substandard. The thought made her feel very guilty and deeply ashamed of herself. She walked to her Uncle and looked into his eyes, shaking her head a little. "I trust him." She turned then to Colin. "I'm sorry."
"No need. I expected it."
"I'm so sorry I did this to you. I... you've proven to me how much you really do want all of this... so... let's just go."
Something in the exchange seemed to mark a change in Sandorin as well. His hand landed on Emalia's shoulder with a new gentleness. "No, don't."
With Colin's agreement, and a few words of understanding, Sandorin placed a hand upon Colin's head and incanted a spell. Colin's face became rather blank as Sandorin asked his first question. "Have your goals truly changed from when you were known as Visha?"
"Yes," Colin answered without hesitation.
"What is your aim with Emalia?"
"To be with her for the rest of our lives, to have a family with her, to protect her on her journey."
Emalia didn't notice the look of incomprehension upon her Uncle's face at the answers. Her face had pulled into a smile and her frigidity toward Colin found itself fast melting. He -had- been telling her the truth the entire time. While this compounded her horrid feeling of guilt, it also allowed her to see Colin in a way she never had. As she was digesting this, the voice of her Uncle floated into her mind. "Wait, journey?"
Emalia briefly told Sandorin of the trip she intended to take, though none of what she intended to do once she was there. "You've been talking to one of those Jihad people haven't you? You're not the first person I've heard say they were going ot go off and find some place after talking to one of them. They sure do tend to get people worked up."
"We should just finish the questioning, don't you think?" Emalia asked, attempting to avoid any form of argument with her Uncle since she had just gotten him onto their side. "Colin... is any part of Visha still within you?"
"Yes."
"What part?" Sandorin asked with a scowl.
"All. I am Visha."
Emalia's heart dropped a bit. "Do you still seek power and control?"
"I seek strength enough to protect you. I wish I had control enough to keep you with me."
"What do you mean, keep me with you?" Emalia asked, her worry getting the better of her.
"I have doubt the conviction of your love and feel that I could easily lose you."
Emalia found herself stunned into a momentary silence. If the guilt she felt could have been made into a living being, it would have been heckling her now. She thought back quickly over her past with him, and discovered that she had been much more than obvious with her feelings. She had one final question which would decide for her whether she could continue on knowing Colin was Visha and Visha was Colin. "Have you truly no desire to return to what you once were?"
"No. I have only desire to keep what I have and make it stronger."
Emalia turned to Sandorin, unable to harbor the entire load of blame she was placing upon herself. "Uncle Sandorin... is this sufficient for you? Do you believe him now?"
"As hard as i find it I must believe him," he replied, shaking his head.
"I cannot explain it, perhaps some interaction of the energies and becoming alive..."
"Uncle Sandorin... I have something to ask of you." Emalia had her answers. She knew the truth. Sandorin as well, heard and knew the truth and was apparently so distracted by it he continued talking to himself until interrupted by Emalia's question. She had given her word to Colin, and she intended to keep it. They needed no clergy, nor Gods. Emalia only felt the need for a single witness, in a chapel, to see to the exhange of vows.
Though Sandorin advocated the idea of a proper wedding with clan, family, and friends - Emalia knew such a thing was merely a delay. No more time could be spent, outside of a single obligitory night to the private celebration of marriage. Colin gripped her hands as if he thought she might flee - not that Emalia blamed him with her past record of behavior. None of that mattered now as when they left the chapel on the Estate, it was as Mr. and Mrs. Stone.
Uncle Sandorin
"I don't think we should go on this journey yet," Emalia blurted out. "I think we should visit my uncle and make sure you're going to be... ok."
"Emalia. I'm fine."
"Colin... this is serious. There is the potential for something to go wrong... and you don't know what might or might not set it off. You weren't supposed to actually be alive... no offense. We go to my uncle." Emalia got up and walked to her chocobo. She looked back, noticing that Colin was absolutely not moving.
"I just want to get past all that. i don't want to keep going back and revisiting it. I'm a different person now and I just want to let it be that way."
"Colin," Emalia said with a measure of hesitation. She knew what needed to be done to get him to come. She knew she would have to make certain that he was who he claimed and she knew what would get him to move. "if you come back with me to my uncle, I will marry you as soon as we leave his company. We'll find someone to do the ceremony for us and you will have me completely. But we have to know. We have to be absolutely certain."
"And what if he tells you not to be with me? That I'm too dangerous? He doesn't know me, not the person I am now."
"You have my word - regardless of what he says."
Emalia stretched her mind out to speak to Sandorin. Eventually she made contact with her uncle. A faint tendril of his thoughts struck a chord with hers, and after assuring him of everything being fine, the agreed to meet at her mother's estates. They walked into the small chapel and waited for Sandorin to appear. At the sound of his footsteps, Emalia rushed to him, wrapping him in an embrace. "I have to ask you something."
Sandorin looked over, seeing Colin. "Who's that?"
"Uncle Sandorin," Emalia said, taking his hands in hers to get his attention focused upon her. "That is my fiance and he needs your help."
"Fiance? Well... well congratulation child. I had no idea."
"I'm with child as well." Emalia continued with her tactic. The more her Uncle understood how much Colin was in her life, how much he meant to her, the less likely he would refuse. After all, the fiance and father-to-be to her child...
"A baby too! My goodness. Have I been gone that long?"
The two passed other general information and formalities, before Emalia looked up at Sandorin. "Please, whatever you do, trust in me. Please. Trust me."
Emalia wanted to cringe as the familiar grey eyes from her childhood looked at her with scrutiny. "Emalia... what is going on?"
"You must believe me when I say I love this man and I know he is a good man... a changed man. He's been nothing but good to me, and protective, and faithful... he is a guardian as well." Emalia's mouth began to go dry. "Colin... could you please come over here?"
"No. Emalia... you don't know who this man is."
"I do know... he has told me. And... he is alive now..."
"Alive. No. The spell would not hold. Emalia, this is not a man for you."
Emalia begged Sandorin for help, just to take a moment to look within Colin to be certain that Visha would, indeed, be kept inside. "Help him?" Sandorin nearly barked. "The only way I knew how to 'help him' was to trap him in this body where he couldn't hurt anyone. Now I see how well that worked."
"But don't you understand, he hasn't hurt anyone... at all. He's never been close to doing that... ever."
Colin stood by quetly watching from Emalia's side. He had said little, but Emalia could see from his face the pain and irritation the scrutiny was causing. Sandorin neared Colin, looking into the larger man's face.
"Just what are you up to. Could you have fooled all of them?"
"I'm not up to anything Sandorin. What Emalia tells you is the truth. This is me now. Listen to your niece. Please."
Emalia watched as her Uncle sat in one of the pews, his head in his hands. She felt badly for him, but knew as Colin had mentioned before - the only Colin he knew, was a very bad one - a spirit trapped in a body for eternity unable to harm anyone - and she had released him.
"Emalia. I'm fine."
"Colin... this is serious. There is the potential for something to go wrong... and you don't know what might or might not set it off. You weren't supposed to actually be alive... no offense. We go to my uncle." Emalia got up and walked to her chocobo. She looked back, noticing that Colin was absolutely not moving.
"I just want to get past all that. i don't want to keep going back and revisiting it. I'm a different person now and I just want to let it be that way."
"Colin," Emalia said with a measure of hesitation. She knew what needed to be done to get him to come. She knew she would have to make certain that he was who he claimed and she knew what would get him to move. "if you come back with me to my uncle, I will marry you as soon as we leave his company. We'll find someone to do the ceremony for us and you will have me completely. But we have to know. We have to be absolutely certain."
"And what if he tells you not to be with me? That I'm too dangerous? He doesn't know me, not the person I am now."
"You have my word - regardless of what he says."
Emalia stretched her mind out to speak to Sandorin. Eventually she made contact with her uncle. A faint tendril of his thoughts struck a chord with hers, and after assuring him of everything being fine, the agreed to meet at her mother's estates. They walked into the small chapel and waited for Sandorin to appear. At the sound of his footsteps, Emalia rushed to him, wrapping him in an embrace. "I have to ask you something."
Sandorin looked over, seeing Colin. "Who's that?"
"Uncle Sandorin," Emalia said, taking his hands in hers to get his attention focused upon her. "That is my fiance and he needs your help."
"Fiance? Well... well congratulation child. I had no idea."
"I'm with child as well." Emalia continued with her tactic. The more her Uncle understood how much Colin was in her life, how much he meant to her, the less likely he would refuse. After all, the fiance and father-to-be to her child...
"A baby too! My goodness. Have I been gone that long?"
The two passed other general information and formalities, before Emalia looked up at Sandorin. "Please, whatever you do, trust in me. Please. Trust me."
Emalia wanted to cringe as the familiar grey eyes from her childhood looked at her with scrutiny. "Emalia... what is going on?"
"You must believe me when I say I love this man and I know he is a good man... a changed man. He's been nothing but good to me, and protective, and faithful... he is a guardian as well." Emalia's mouth began to go dry. "Colin... could you please come over here?"
"No. Emalia... you don't know who this man is."
"I do know... he has told me. And... he is alive now..."
"Alive. No. The spell would not hold. Emalia, this is not a man for you."
Emalia begged Sandorin for help, just to take a moment to look within Colin to be certain that Visha would, indeed, be kept inside. "Help him?" Sandorin nearly barked. "The only way I knew how to 'help him' was to trap him in this body where he couldn't hurt anyone. Now I see how well that worked."
"But don't you understand, he hasn't hurt anyone... at all. He's never been close to doing that... ever."
Colin stood by quetly watching from Emalia's side. He had said little, but Emalia could see from his face the pain and irritation the scrutiny was causing. Sandorin neared Colin, looking into the larger man's face.
"Just what are you up to. Could you have fooled all of them?"
"I'm not up to anything Sandorin. What Emalia tells you is the truth. This is me now. Listen to your niece. Please."
Emalia watched as her Uncle sat in one of the pews, his head in his hands. She felt badly for him, but knew as Colin had mentioned before - the only Colin he knew, was a very bad one - a spirit trapped in a body for eternity unable to harm anyone - and she had released him.
The Past (1-2)
The sensation of light broke Emalia's sleep, and her eyes fluttered open to the breaking of the dawn. Again, she would neglect sending a prayer to the Morning Lord, though such duties were far from her mind. She rolled over, nudging Colin awake. The idea of getting underway sent jolts of electricity through her, and she practically leapt from the bed. "You sure you don't want just a couple more hours to sleep?" Colin asked, returning to the sanctity of the quilts.
"I'm positive. As soon as I gather some clothes, I'm leaving. As are you, I assume. Once upon a time you didn't even sleep."
"I know, I almost forgot what I was missing."
Emalia paused in her packing. "You know... I've never stopped to ask you about that. Who were you before... well, before you died."
"Just me," Colin shrugged.
"You didn't have a name? Things you liked to do?"
"Well, I spent all my time in a quest for knowledge, power. In the end it wasn't a very happy existence."
"So how did it happen... you dying that is." Emalia moved to the bed, sitting near Colin as she looked over to him.
"It was so long ago, sometimes I feel like I can barely remember it," Colin answered with a sigh. "A dragon killed me."
"That must have been terrifying."
"Anyway, it was long ago, and I had nothing of what I have now." Colin looked at Emalia with a small smile. "With you I have everything I was missing."
Emalia smiled in return. To be everything that was missing was an honor. She still didn't know how it was that she could be such a thing to anyone, but she wouldn't admit to such an insecurity. The statement turned her thoughts toward her own family. She wouldn't be seeing them again after this, and while she cared for little now, the idea of at least saying goodbye to the Uncle she hadn't seen in ages crossed her mind. "I don't think you've ever met my Uncle Sandorin, have you?"Colin looked on with a blank expression. "You have only introduced me to your father. You were so eager to set off yesterday."
"You'll like him. He's a good man too, though we rarely saw him with his desires to conduct his studies. I suppose he just came into my thoughts... I wouldn't mind saying goodbye to him. I doubt with the way he was he's going to be around after the RoK falls." Emalia looked to Colin, noticing that he had completely turned away from her.
"You either," she added quietly.
"I don't know if this it the time to go about meeting family. Considering the context of this journey."
"Well, this is the only time we're going to have... We're... well... not coming back. And besides it wouldn't be that long."
"You think he will be alright with you going?"
"It doesn't matter. I doubt he would try to stop me."
It seemed odd to Emalia that Colin was attempting to turn her from seeing her family - moreover turning her from something she wanted. "I just think it's best to get things underway, not take the chance of things getting and harder or more complicated then they are already," Colin said. In a way he was right, but the nagging darkness began again. Emalia wasn't about to give up on her right to family - regardless of whether it was a member that she'd not seen since the time she'd just met Colin.
"I don't understand," Emalia said. "Who is to say he won't offer to help... My uncle has never done anything underhanded like those others in any case."
"Does he have the same beliefs as you?"
"No. But neither do you. I guess I just don't understand why you seem so against my talking to my uncle for the last time. I'm never going to see him again, Colin. Everyone else I've at least spoken to in the past, recent. Him... last I spoke to him was when we first met."
Emalia watched as Colin moved from the packing he had begun to sit beside her on the edge of the bed. He bowed his head, staring at his hands. "Emalia, you have never introduced me but I do know of Sandorin, from my previous life. I had no idea he was your uncle, though."
The clenching of Emalia's insides forced her to hunch in the tiniest bit to keep herself in order. "Then there should be no trouble at all."
"We had some differing views though," Colin sighed. "It's complicated and not really something that I would like to rehash."
"What happened with the two of you?"
"I'm not necessarily proud of the person I was. I was quite consumed with the aquisition of power. So was your uncle, to some extent. That is why he came to me, to study under me."
Emalia felt the tremors rising up inside of her. The darkness returned, gripping at her and taunting with the idea that she was about to hear something new. Something different. Something withheld from her. The idea that this was happening, coming from Colin... "Study... but... Uncle Sandorin is a Wizard... not... not a fighter..."
"You forget, I was not always like this. I was once very skilled in magic. Over time, his views changed though and he disagreed with some of the methods and avenues of my studies."
Emalia stared at her lap. For this to be true, something had to be terribly wrong. "What... methods and avenues did you travel? For Uncle Sandorin to refuse study... it..." 'would have to be truly terrible,' her thoughts concluded."I was much different then Emalia. I was consumed with gaining power and knowledge. I didn't shun the ways of death. I was so misguided. My life was so meaningless yet I didn't even know it."
Still, Emalia sat with her innards clenched as if frozen tightly in place. She spoke with her voice barely above a whisper. "Is that how you... came into this body? I... I mean... how... why?"
"That's the irony. It was my mastery of death that allowed me to continue on after my physical demise. And ultimately allowed me to be here."
"Then why can't you do what you used to be able to do?"
"I can't truly explain that. Somewhere in the transition from my previous life I lost my connection to the arcane. But in a way I don't mind. It helps me to focus more on the things that are truly important." Emalia took this moment to continue staring at her hands. Colin continued, "Your Uncle actually helped to make me who I am. Literally. He helped me to make my body."
Could anyone have seen the normally pale woman at that moment doing anything but laying down, they may have wondered how the dead were able to rise. Every ounce of color seemed to have left her, leaving her very light grey. Flashes of heat rose through her and vanished with the presence of the opposite chill that drove in after. She could think of nothing to say, her thoughts were choked in the bottleneck of news. Her Uncle Sandorin had never told her anything of his studies. She knew only that her mother felt they were dangerous. She didn't know who he studied under, she didn't know why, she didn't know how long... but apparently, the being her mother felt was dangerous was the very one sitting beside her in a body constructed by his pupil who happened to be her Uncle-
Emalia rose from the bed amidst Colin's apologies. No, she would think nothing on this. Colin was Colin and - yes - he was Colin. Nothing had changed. No, her world wasn't falling down... only the RoK would once she reached it. Nothing had changed. She walked from the room, carrying her bag with her in order to load their horses, leaving a somewhat subdued Colin to finish his packing.
"I'm positive. As soon as I gather some clothes, I'm leaving. As are you, I assume. Once upon a time you didn't even sleep."
"I know, I almost forgot what I was missing."
Emalia paused in her packing. "You know... I've never stopped to ask you about that. Who were you before... well, before you died."
"Just me," Colin shrugged.
"You didn't have a name? Things you liked to do?"
"Well, I spent all my time in a quest for knowledge, power. In the end it wasn't a very happy existence."
"So how did it happen... you dying that is." Emalia moved to the bed, sitting near Colin as she looked over to him.
"It was so long ago, sometimes I feel like I can barely remember it," Colin answered with a sigh. "A dragon killed me."
"That must have been terrifying."
"Anyway, it was long ago, and I had nothing of what I have now." Colin looked at Emalia with a small smile. "With you I have everything I was missing."
Emalia smiled in return. To be everything that was missing was an honor. She still didn't know how it was that she could be such a thing to anyone, but she wouldn't admit to such an insecurity. The statement turned her thoughts toward her own family. She wouldn't be seeing them again after this, and while she cared for little now, the idea of at least saying goodbye to the Uncle she hadn't seen in ages crossed her mind. "I don't think you've ever met my Uncle Sandorin, have you?"Colin looked on with a blank expression. "You have only introduced me to your father. You were so eager to set off yesterday."
"You'll like him. He's a good man too, though we rarely saw him with his desires to conduct his studies. I suppose he just came into my thoughts... I wouldn't mind saying goodbye to him. I doubt with the way he was he's going to be around after the RoK falls." Emalia looked to Colin, noticing that he had completely turned away from her.
"You either," she added quietly.
"I don't know if this it the time to go about meeting family. Considering the context of this journey."
"Well, this is the only time we're going to have... We're... well... not coming back. And besides it wouldn't be that long."
"You think he will be alright with you going?"
"It doesn't matter. I doubt he would try to stop me."
It seemed odd to Emalia that Colin was attempting to turn her from seeing her family - moreover turning her from something she wanted. "I just think it's best to get things underway, not take the chance of things getting and harder or more complicated then they are already," Colin said. In a way he was right, but the nagging darkness began again. Emalia wasn't about to give up on her right to family - regardless of whether it was a member that she'd not seen since the time she'd just met Colin.
"I don't understand," Emalia said. "Who is to say he won't offer to help... My uncle has never done anything underhanded like those others in any case."
"Does he have the same beliefs as you?"
"No. But neither do you. I guess I just don't understand why you seem so against my talking to my uncle for the last time. I'm never going to see him again, Colin. Everyone else I've at least spoken to in the past, recent. Him... last I spoke to him was when we first met."
Emalia watched as Colin moved from the packing he had begun to sit beside her on the edge of the bed. He bowed his head, staring at his hands. "Emalia, you have never introduced me but I do know of Sandorin, from my previous life. I had no idea he was your uncle, though."
The clenching of Emalia's insides forced her to hunch in the tiniest bit to keep herself in order. "Then there should be no trouble at all."
"We had some differing views though," Colin sighed. "It's complicated and not really something that I would like to rehash."
"What happened with the two of you?"
"I'm not necessarily proud of the person I was. I was quite consumed with the aquisition of power. So was your uncle, to some extent. That is why he came to me, to study under me."
Emalia felt the tremors rising up inside of her. The darkness returned, gripping at her and taunting with the idea that she was about to hear something new. Something different. Something withheld from her. The idea that this was happening, coming from Colin... "Study... but... Uncle Sandorin is a Wizard... not... not a fighter..."
"You forget, I was not always like this. I was once very skilled in magic. Over time, his views changed though and he disagreed with some of the methods and avenues of my studies."
Emalia stared at her lap. For this to be true, something had to be terribly wrong. "What... methods and avenues did you travel? For Uncle Sandorin to refuse study... it..." 'would have to be truly terrible,' her thoughts concluded."I was much different then Emalia. I was consumed with gaining power and knowledge. I didn't shun the ways of death. I was so misguided. My life was so meaningless yet I didn't even know it."
Still, Emalia sat with her innards clenched as if frozen tightly in place. She spoke with her voice barely above a whisper. "Is that how you... came into this body? I... I mean... how... why?"
"That's the irony. It was my mastery of death that allowed me to continue on after my physical demise. And ultimately allowed me to be here."
"Then why can't you do what you used to be able to do?"
"I can't truly explain that. Somewhere in the transition from my previous life I lost my connection to the arcane. But in a way I don't mind. It helps me to focus more on the things that are truly important." Emalia took this moment to continue staring at her hands. Colin continued, "Your Uncle actually helped to make me who I am. Literally. He helped me to make my body."
Could anyone have seen the normally pale woman at that moment doing anything but laying down, they may have wondered how the dead were able to rise. Every ounce of color seemed to have left her, leaving her very light grey. Flashes of heat rose through her and vanished with the presence of the opposite chill that drove in after. She could think of nothing to say, her thoughts were choked in the bottleneck of news. Her Uncle Sandorin had never told her anything of his studies. She knew only that her mother felt they were dangerous. She didn't know who he studied under, she didn't know why, she didn't know how long... but apparently, the being her mother felt was dangerous was the very one sitting beside her in a body constructed by his pupil who happened to be her Uncle-
Emalia rose from the bed amidst Colin's apologies. No, she would think nothing on this. Colin was Colin and - yes - he was Colin. Nothing had changed. No, her world wasn't falling down... only the RoK would once she reached it. Nothing had changed. She walked from the room, carrying her bag with her in order to load their horses, leaving a somewhat subdued Colin to finish his packing.
My Own Worst Enemy
“Not again." Colin thought to himself. Here he stood in a stairwell of the temple. Alone. Emalia had just stormed off, obviously angry with him for how he had acted when he found her talking to a very shady looking character by the name of Xarkuss.
"Just what exactly am I doing here anyway?" Colin asked himself; but he knew the answer. When they were alone together, things were so much better. The time in her cabin on the sailing vessel which brought them here. The other night in Emalia's chamber in the temple. Ah, that night. It had remained in the forefront of his mind ever since. They had been so close, and how Colin had wanted to take that step. To just lean down and draw her lips to his. To take her fully into his arms and become one. Yet he couldn't. What if she rejected him? He did not want to jeopardize the closeness that had just begin to grow between them.
Yet here he was, standing by himself in the cold stone stairwell. It was just when they were around these "believers" that seemed to be popping out of nowhere. He just didn't trust them. The way that they sucked Emalia in. She was too vulnerable, they could hurt her too easily. And then the fact that each of them seemed to be trying to turn her away from him, looking upon him like an intruding outsider. His behavior was only pushing Emalia away but he just couldn't help himself. Apparently thoughts of distrust and jealousy still had a place within him. "Damn Sandorin, who qualified you to decide..." Colin's thoughts immediately ricocheted off in another direction, "I'm going to have to talk to her, and I'm going to have to change this. Otherwise I'm going to lose her."
Colin took a deep breath, straightened himself, and moved on.
"Just what exactly am I doing here anyway?" Colin asked himself; but he knew the answer. When they were alone together, things were so much better. The time in her cabin on the sailing vessel which brought them here. The other night in Emalia's chamber in the temple. Ah, that night. It had remained in the forefront of his mind ever since. They had been so close, and how Colin had wanted to take that step. To just lean down and draw her lips to his. To take her fully into his arms and become one. Yet he couldn't. What if she rejected him? He did not want to jeopardize the closeness that had just begin to grow between them.
Yet here he was, standing by himself in the cold stone stairwell. It was just when they were around these "believers" that seemed to be popping out of nowhere. He just didn't trust them. The way that they sucked Emalia in. She was too vulnerable, they could hurt her too easily. And then the fact that each of them seemed to be trying to turn her away from him, looking upon him like an intruding outsider. His behavior was only pushing Emalia away but he just couldn't help himself. Apparently thoughts of distrust and jealousy still had a place within him. "Damn Sandorin, who qualified you to decide..." Colin's thoughts immediately ricocheted off in another direction, "I'm going to have to talk to her, and I'm going to have to change this. Otherwise I'm going to lose her."
Colin took a deep breath, straightened himself, and moved on.
Heart In Pieces
Sanria wandered Westbridge, looking official, all the while fearing the worst. She tried to keep her thoughts on her daughter, but they kept floating back to the man in white who she loved. She paced in Festival Square, working herself up until she could do nothing but play ring-around-the-fountain while biting her nails.
The more she thought about it, the more she began to panic. The more she panicked, the harder it was for her to even breathe. She would settle it. She would go home. Emalia would be fine, her clan always said she would, they would look after her.
Her body aging as it was, Sanria took the magical means of transportation and willed herself into her house. "Thasmudyan?" she called. "Sandorin?" No answer assured her that, as always seemed to be the case whenever Emalia wasn't there, she was alone.
Sanria moved through the cavern, up the familiar stairs to her bedroom. At the least, while she was here, she'd make sure she was clean. As she dropped her cloak onto the floor she noticed a note sitting on the stand.
The steady, slanting hand that contained with it so much authority stared back at her. 'Oh no... this can't be good.' Sanria sat on the bed, running a finger over the black ink and with her heart straining to leap from her chest, she unfolded the note and began to read. Her heart slowly sank as her brown eyes, filling with the liquid of pain, scanned the slanted scrawl. The tears slowly meandered down her face, she didn't even notice that the beautifully penned note had fallen to the floor.
He was brought back for a purpose. He had something that needed to be done. He had to go, to traverse the realms to find out what it was. She had to go on, he had said. Had to let life survive, not to wait for his return. After 18 years, and getting her true love back, she got the closure she never had through all those years - but it came at the expense of her happily ever after.
The more she thought about it, the more she began to panic. The more she panicked, the harder it was for her to even breathe. She would settle it. She would go home. Emalia would be fine, her clan always said she would, they would look after her.
Her body aging as it was, Sanria took the magical means of transportation and willed herself into her house. "Thasmudyan?" she called. "Sandorin?" No answer assured her that, as always seemed to be the case whenever Emalia wasn't there, she was alone.
Sanria moved through the cavern, up the familiar stairs to her bedroom. At the least, while she was here, she'd make sure she was clean. As she dropped her cloak onto the floor she noticed a note sitting on the stand.
The steady, slanting hand that contained with it so much authority stared back at her. 'Oh no... this can't be good.' Sanria sat on the bed, running a finger over the black ink and with her heart straining to leap from her chest, she unfolded the note and began to read. Her heart slowly sank as her brown eyes, filling with the liquid of pain, scanned the slanted scrawl. The tears slowly meandered down her face, she didn't even notice that the beautifully penned note had fallen to the floor.
He was brought back for a purpose. He had something that needed to be done. He had to go, to traverse the realms to find out what it was. She had to go on, he had said. Had to let life survive, not to wait for his return. After 18 years, and getting her true love back, she got the closure she never had through all those years - but it came at the expense of her happily ever after.
The Child
Jayden made his way to the cookie shop, thinking it would be nice to sit around and relax his old bones. As he walked into the shop he noticed a small girl sitting at a table crying 'Oh my gosh, it is Emalia he thought to himself, he hobbled his way over to Emalia and asked her what was wrong. Jayden then proceeded to sit down, placing cane in lap and relaxing little bit, standing for a long time, was now beginning to bear it's troubles with him. Emalia began to speak of the Jihad, Jayden was confused as to how this could happen without him knowing of such things. As Emalia started to get scared of what Jayden would think or say to her, he raised a frail hand and placed it on top of Emalia's, to comfort her, and show her he would not leave her for a choice, he would never leave her side, little did she know the Jayden saw her as one of his own children, he loved this young girl as much as any father could love any son or daughter.
She began discussing Hellstrom, and how he played into this and Jayden felt the need to bring Hellstrom into the picture. Jayden reached a hand up to the Insignia upon his neck and began to run his frail fingers lightly over it. It took but five minutes and Hellstrom appeared at the door. His voice was loud but calm "Yes Jayden?" He motioned for Hellstrom to make his way over and to take a seat. Hellstrom got a little nervous and said if this was to belittle the Jenovese people he would leave because he told Emalia he would not do such a thing. Emalia told him to stay after much debate Jayden suspected.
As they all engaged in talk about what was going on, a loud thud sounded on top of the shop. Jayden was the first to hear this sound so he looked up, the rest followed in suit, and they all arose from their seats. Jayden told them what should be done, but the two youth in the shop had their own views, and telling youth what should be done, is a recipe for disaster. Jayden let it go and Hellstrom ended up leaving for the woods to draw out this intruder. Jayden and Emalia stood behind, as Sandorin made his way into the shop.
Sandorin sat down with Emalia, and Jayden motioned that he should part ways now. Emalia told him to stay "Please" she had said to him, so he took a seat and started speaking with this man who was but a few years younger than him. Once finished with the story Jayden peered over at Emalia and she was fast asleep on the table. Sandorin made an attempt to wake her up with his hand, but before the hand reached Emalia Jayden bolted his hand upward with a speed no one has seen the old man use, nor did most think he was capable, "No...let the child sleep, she will come back to the halls with me tonight."
Sandorin didn't quite like the gesture but he understood where the man was coming from. Soon after Jayden stood with cane in hand and picked Emalia up and hoisted her onto on should, lightly as not to wake her. Jayden uttered a few words and a portal the size of the two of them appeared, he walked through and the portal was gone.
Arriving at the hall, Jayden made his way down to an empty room and placed Emalia into a pre-made bed, he tucked her in and gave her a small kiss on the top of her forehead, "Goodnight my child."
She began discussing Hellstrom, and how he played into this and Jayden felt the need to bring Hellstrom into the picture. Jayden reached a hand up to the Insignia upon his neck and began to run his frail fingers lightly over it. It took but five minutes and Hellstrom appeared at the door. His voice was loud but calm "Yes Jayden?" He motioned for Hellstrom to make his way over and to take a seat. Hellstrom got a little nervous and said if this was to belittle the Jenovese people he would leave because he told Emalia he would not do such a thing. Emalia told him to stay after much debate Jayden suspected.
As they all engaged in talk about what was going on, a loud thud sounded on top of the shop. Jayden was the first to hear this sound so he looked up, the rest followed in suit, and they all arose from their seats. Jayden told them what should be done, but the two youth in the shop had their own views, and telling youth what should be done, is a recipe for disaster. Jayden let it go and Hellstrom ended up leaving for the woods to draw out this intruder. Jayden and Emalia stood behind, as Sandorin made his way into the shop.
Sandorin sat down with Emalia, and Jayden motioned that he should part ways now. Emalia told him to stay "Please" she had said to him, so he took a seat and started speaking with this man who was but a few years younger than him. Once finished with the story Jayden peered over at Emalia and she was fast asleep on the table. Sandorin made an attempt to wake her up with his hand, but before the hand reached Emalia Jayden bolted his hand upward with a speed no one has seen the old man use, nor did most think he was capable, "No...let the child sleep, she will come back to the halls with me tonight."
Sandorin didn't quite like the gesture but he understood where the man was coming from. Soon after Jayden stood with cane in hand and picked Emalia up and hoisted her onto on should, lightly as not to wake her. Jayden uttered a few words and a portal the size of the two of them appeared, he walked through and the portal was gone.
Arriving at the hall, Jayden made his way down to an empty room and placed Emalia into a pre-made bed, he tucked her in and gave her a small kiss on the top of her forehead, "Goodnight my child."
Cookies
Comfort is what Emalia desired more than anything, and cookies were what she felt could provide it. Annie seemed to sense that saying anything wouldn't help, and thus delivered the plate of cookies in silence. Emalia picked one up and took a bite. Like many things do when one is grieving terribly, it tasted flavorless and only served to coat her tongue in a gritty chocolate mash. She put the cookie back onto the plate, dropped her head onto the table, and sobbed into her arm.
She wasn't there long before Jayden appeared. It really was the last thing she wanted, for someone else to see her crying, and so she hastily dried her tears and attempted to smooth back her hair. Here was another person she would have to admit this to... someone that she really, truly, cared about, and who had become almost like family to her. She spoke of the Jihad and waited for the look of distaste... but it never came.
Jayden put a hand on hers, patting it gently as he asked her what brought about her change of ideals. It shocked Emalia to see the kindness that she was still given from the man she had come to regard as her grandfather.
They spoke of destruction - the very thing the Guardians were not - and how it was better left to the evil Jihad. Up until that point, Emalia had almost been prepared to forsake her joining with the Jihad... but evil... she didn't believe it for a moment. None of the Jihad had ever treated her badly, nor done anything to her that would support the idea of evil. When Jayden asked if she had been followed...
Emalia's head rested in her hands, now. She took a short moment to notice just how heavy a head really was, before Jayden pointed to her that he had never lied to her, nor pointed her in the wrong direction. All she wanted, was to have some choice she had made be right.
Emalia spoke more to Jayden, telling him what had transpired between she and Hellstrom. "Hellstrom is young... inexperienced with words." "His solution is not to leave me so long as I say nothing to him. How can that be love at all?" "I do not know child... I know that I would never leave your side for voicing your opinion. it is our...God given right to voice our opinions." "Do you think, perhaps, Hellstrom isn't the one for me?" "Perhaps."
The admission did come as a bit of a shock. So did Jayden's accusation that the Jihad wanted nothing more than to break her away from the Crimson Guardians in the name of gaining members. No, they never forced her to leave. Even Grobnak had told her that she didn't have to abandon them. It made no sense. She was bridging the gap, bringing them together, not being torn away. The only tearing being done was by those that looked at her the way Hellstrom had, the way the people in the shop had, the way... almost everyone had.
Emalia continued talking until Jayden invited another to sit with them. Behind her was Hellstrom, and Emalia froze with panic. This is not who she wanted to see - yet here he was. Soon after, a noise came from the rooftop, and much sooner after, the door opened with no one there. Jayden wanted to leave, Hellstrom called for action, Emalia finally stood up and screamed.
Again, she and Hellstrom bickered. He didn't fear anyone, he didn't need to, he was going to go to the wood - and the final straw broke when Hellstrom chuckled out, "Don't worry for my welfare." It was all Emalia could take.
"Well then... why worry for you at all, yes?"
How he could have said something so thoughtless, Emalia didn't know, and couldn't understand. Caring for one another didn't mean only one side. Her heart felt as if it had finally broken in two. She knew she must go to Elbryan. To protect her family and her friends - she would leave the Guardians.
Hellstrom told her where to find the skeleton, and Emalia went to Jayden. She knelt at his side, requesting a prayer. It soothed her and helped to restore her sense of self. She apologized to Hellstrom, and as he left, her Uncle Sandorin entered. One more she hadn't told... One more she couldn't handle. She sat at the table as her weariness took over, and fell asleep listening to the speech of two old men.
She wasn't there long before Jayden appeared. It really was the last thing she wanted, for someone else to see her crying, and so she hastily dried her tears and attempted to smooth back her hair. Here was another person she would have to admit this to... someone that she really, truly, cared about, and who had become almost like family to her. She spoke of the Jihad and waited for the look of distaste... but it never came.
Jayden put a hand on hers, patting it gently as he asked her what brought about her change of ideals. It shocked Emalia to see the kindness that she was still given from the man she had come to regard as her grandfather.
They spoke of destruction - the very thing the Guardians were not - and how it was better left to the evil Jihad. Up until that point, Emalia had almost been prepared to forsake her joining with the Jihad... but evil... she didn't believe it for a moment. None of the Jihad had ever treated her badly, nor done anything to her that would support the idea of evil. When Jayden asked if she had been followed...
Emalia's head rested in her hands, now. She took a short moment to notice just how heavy a head really was, before Jayden pointed to her that he had never lied to her, nor pointed her in the wrong direction. All she wanted, was to have some choice she had made be right.
Emalia spoke more to Jayden, telling him what had transpired between she and Hellstrom. "Hellstrom is young... inexperienced with words." "His solution is not to leave me so long as I say nothing to him. How can that be love at all?" "I do not know child... I know that I would never leave your side for voicing your opinion. it is our...God given right to voice our opinions." "Do you think, perhaps, Hellstrom isn't the one for me?" "Perhaps."
The admission did come as a bit of a shock. So did Jayden's accusation that the Jihad wanted nothing more than to break her away from the Crimson Guardians in the name of gaining members. No, they never forced her to leave. Even Grobnak had told her that she didn't have to abandon them. It made no sense. She was bridging the gap, bringing them together, not being torn away. The only tearing being done was by those that looked at her the way Hellstrom had, the way the people in the shop had, the way... almost everyone had.
Emalia continued talking until Jayden invited another to sit with them. Behind her was Hellstrom, and Emalia froze with panic. This is not who she wanted to see - yet here he was. Soon after, a noise came from the rooftop, and much sooner after, the door opened with no one there. Jayden wanted to leave, Hellstrom called for action, Emalia finally stood up and screamed.
Again, she and Hellstrom bickered. He didn't fear anyone, he didn't need to, he was going to go to the wood - and the final straw broke when Hellstrom chuckled out, "Don't worry for my welfare." It was all Emalia could take.
"Well then... why worry for you at all, yes?"
How he could have said something so thoughtless, Emalia didn't know, and couldn't understand. Caring for one another didn't mean only one side. Her heart felt as if it had finally broken in two. She knew she must go to Elbryan. To protect her family and her friends - she would leave the Guardians.
Hellstrom told her where to find the skeleton, and Emalia went to Jayden. She knelt at his side, requesting a prayer. It soothed her and helped to restore her sense of self. She apologized to Hellstrom, and as he left, her Uncle Sandorin entered. One more she hadn't told... One more she couldn't handle. She sat at the table as her weariness took over, and fell asleep listening to the speech of two old men.
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