Once there, he retracted his spidery legs back into his robes and began focusing his mind once more. A shape began forming in the air before him, the air subtle and rippling as it became first solid, then visible, and then almost alive. The woman the man had killed stood before him, her eyes lifeless. Attaching many gossamer strands to her extremities, Halethiel chuckled to himself at the scene to come. He grinned wickedly once more as he pulled the man's heart from the folds of his robe and thrust it into the woman's vacant chest cavity.
Almost instantly, she came to life. Halethiel tested the strength of his spell by lifting his left arm. The woman's left arm went up in an exact mockery of his own movement. He spoke, and she spoke. His face erupted in an evil leer, and hers did, as well.
The illusion was nearly complete. Willing the landscape around him to change, he brought a cavern of blue crystals into existence - one of the many dream variations he had catalogued for future use from his countless victims. Here he would be able to see and remain unseen. Clothing the puppet in Mystran robes, he nodded to himself. The time had come to summon the Guardian.
Master of Puppets (Feast or Famine)
Halethiel watched as Colin and the shade faded away in a vortex of swirling purple colors, letting his concentration slip only a little. Wearily, he let his limbs slide out from beneath his robes: reveling in the sensation of the silken fibers tearing as his chitinous legs broke free and he stood at his full height. There was still quite a bit of work to be done.
First, he was hungry. Reaching out a limb, he touched the surface of the Dreaming, puncturing a small hole into the substance of this reality, and peered into the Dream Heart. The maelstrom whirled as an array of dreamstuff flew madly about between one dream and another. Softly uttering a few arcaic words, Halethiel encapsulated himself in more of the silken strands to form a cocoon about his body, and launched himself through the hole.
He passed seamlessly through the dreamstuff - he had learned long ago how to navigate through the chaotic and treacherous territory of the Dream Heart - and landed on the outside of a dream bubble. Breaking a spindly leg through his cocoon, Halethiel slit a hole through the dream and peered inside. A woman lay nude in some tall grass, a man on top of her. Two moons rested in the sky of this reality, visible in the light of the purple sun.
Halethiel grinned as the man unexpectedly lashed out with a dagger, coating himself in the blood of the woman as he stabbed her time and again. He had found his prey. Sliding through the rift, Halethiel entered the human's dream. He crept towards the man, his legs gliding soundlessly across the grass as he drew closer. Then, with a single lash, the dreamer was in the clutches of Halethiel's spidery legs, slashing harmlessly at him with his knife.
"Petty man," Halethiel intoned, "your ambitions have come to an end." Lashing out with a free limb, he quickly snapped the man's neck and plunged yet another through his chest. Pulling the man's heart free from its cage, he calmly wrapped it in the threading of his robe. Then, placing his fingers over the man's vacant eyes, he inhaled deeply as he focused on his desires.
A few moments later he dropped the dead and dried carcass, feeling younger and invigorated as he watched the fabric of this reality beginning to fall apart and shrink. Wrapping himself once more in the silken threading of his robes, he launched his spidery body through the rift and back to the demiplane he called home.
First, he was hungry. Reaching out a limb, he touched the surface of the Dreaming, puncturing a small hole into the substance of this reality, and peered into the Dream Heart. The maelstrom whirled as an array of dreamstuff flew madly about between one dream and another. Softly uttering a few arcaic words, Halethiel encapsulated himself in more of the silken strands to form a cocoon about his body, and launched himself through the hole.
He passed seamlessly through the dreamstuff - he had learned long ago how to navigate through the chaotic and treacherous territory of the Dream Heart - and landed on the outside of a dream bubble. Breaking a spindly leg through his cocoon, Halethiel slit a hole through the dream and peered inside. A woman lay nude in some tall grass, a man on top of her. Two moons rested in the sky of this reality, visible in the light of the purple sun.
Halethiel grinned as the man unexpectedly lashed out with a dagger, coating himself in the blood of the woman as he stabbed her time and again. He had found his prey. Sliding through the rift, Halethiel entered the human's dream. He crept towards the man, his legs gliding soundlessly across the grass as he drew closer. Then, with a single lash, the dreamer was in the clutches of Halethiel's spidery legs, slashing harmlessly at him with his knife.
"Petty man," Halethiel intoned, "your ambitions have come to an end." Lashing out with a free limb, he quickly snapped the man's neck and plunged yet another through his chest. Pulling the man's heart free from its cage, he calmly wrapped it in the threading of his robe. Then, placing his fingers over the man's vacant eyes, he inhaled deeply as he focused on his desires.
A few moments later he dropped the dead and dried carcass, feeling younger and invigorated as he watched the fabric of this reality beginning to fall apart and shrink. Wrapping himself once more in the silken threading of his robes, he launched his spidery body through the rift and back to the demiplane he called home.
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.
Strange Dreams (1-2)
Colin lay in bed with Emalia cuddled in his arms. They had retired to the bedroom for the purpose of taking a nap, but of course as newlyweds there are certain things that normally happen when you retire to a bedroom. Now he found himself as content as could be, his love in his arms. He peacefully closed his eyes and finally drifted off to sleep.
He soon found himself in a lush, beautiful paradise. He gazed about him at the wondrous, invigorating colors which showed this place to be more than than real. His eyes finally fell upon an individual who stood looking like a cancer upon this world. An ancient-looking figure, shrouded in black and white, standing in stark contrast to the vibrance surrounding.Colin narrowed his gaze. "Who are you? Where is this?"
"I have many names, Faithless."
Faithless. Colin's mood immediately soured. It seemed whenever he heard that good things never followed. "So you're one of them."
"Already you scorn me. I come to offer you a chance at peace. You have a child coming into the world, do you not?"
Colin was amazed how in such few sentences it was possible for the conversation to go so badly so quickly. "Yes... but that need not intrest you. I have no need of peace."
Apparently Colin's disdain was obvious. "I seem to be poorly versed in courtesy, by your countenance. Please forgive me. I have been forced to sleep for so very long. I do not see much of the outside world. I live in my dreams, as you can see, and dream of life. I have watched your journey to awaken me, and I'd like to offer you a chance to not lose what you hold dear to do so."
So far, Colin was allowing this man to speak in silence but his patience was wearing. "Awaken you? I don't know who you are."
The man looked about, obviously pleased. "Yes. That is as the Overlord would wish it. I am Halethiel Usurper. Some have called me an Apprentice, and others have assigned me a darker moniker. What you see before you is the world as it once was, milennia ago."
Colin looked upon Halethiel with skepticism. "You are telling me that you are "the" Apprentice?"
"THE Apprentice? There are many apprentices."
Colin sighed frustratedly. "The one the Jihad seek to return."
"I do not know of the Jihad."
Colin could see this was quickly going nowhere. "Nevermind. So what do you want with me?"
"I wish to offer you solace... here. That you may raise your child in a safe place."
"Thanks, but no thanks. I don't need an offer of safety from you. My family is fine and I would appreciate you staying away from them."
There was a pause as Haelthiel looked Colin over before speaking once more. "Who is it that you have brought with you?"
Colin looked at him in confusion. "What are you talking about, you are the one who brought me here."
Halethiel lifted both hands to the air. The skies quickly darkened and thunder cracked. A beam of solid blackness streaked from the sky to shine directly down upon Colin. Halethiel's gaze then shifted from Colin's face to a point slightly over his shoulder. "State your name and purpose, creature."
Colin jumped when he heard a raspy, haunting voice which eminated from right behind him respond. "I am Visha and he is but a fragment." Colin spun around to find himself face to face with his own shadow.
"A fragment of what?"
"Of me... one I cannot be rid of." Colin looked from the shadow to Halethiel. Obviously he was creating this apparition for some purpose but the point escaped Colin. "What are you doing?"
"I am speaking to your guest. As you wish, however." By this time Colin's thin patience was almost gone. He rolled his eyes in irritation. "This is ridiculuos."
"Since I cannot grant your request and continue this conversation, I will make you comfortable for your stay." With a flick of Haelthiel's wrist Colin suddenly found himself surrounded by the walls of a cottage which seemed to appear from nowhere. The furnishings were quite luxurious, but upon quick review there was a distinct lack of exits. Colin could only sat in a chair and wait for this strange dream to end.
He soon found himself in a lush, beautiful paradise. He gazed about him at the wondrous, invigorating colors which showed this place to be more than than real. His eyes finally fell upon an individual who stood looking like a cancer upon this world. An ancient-looking figure, shrouded in black and white, standing in stark contrast to the vibrance surrounding.Colin narrowed his gaze. "Who are you? Where is this?"
"I have many names, Faithless."
Faithless. Colin's mood immediately soured. It seemed whenever he heard that good things never followed. "So you're one of them."
"Already you scorn me. I come to offer you a chance at peace. You have a child coming into the world, do you not?"
Colin was amazed how in such few sentences it was possible for the conversation to go so badly so quickly. "Yes... but that need not intrest you. I have no need of peace."
Apparently Colin's disdain was obvious. "I seem to be poorly versed in courtesy, by your countenance. Please forgive me. I have been forced to sleep for so very long. I do not see much of the outside world. I live in my dreams, as you can see, and dream of life. I have watched your journey to awaken me, and I'd like to offer you a chance to not lose what you hold dear to do so."
So far, Colin was allowing this man to speak in silence but his patience was wearing. "Awaken you? I don't know who you are."
The man looked about, obviously pleased. "Yes. That is as the Overlord would wish it. I am Halethiel Usurper. Some have called me an Apprentice, and others have assigned me a darker moniker. What you see before you is the world as it once was, milennia ago."
Colin looked upon Halethiel with skepticism. "You are telling me that you are "the" Apprentice?"
"THE Apprentice? There are many apprentices."
Colin sighed frustratedly. "The one the Jihad seek to return."
"I do not know of the Jihad."
Colin could see this was quickly going nowhere. "Nevermind. So what do you want with me?"
"I wish to offer you solace... here. That you may raise your child in a safe place."
"Thanks, but no thanks. I don't need an offer of safety from you. My family is fine and I would appreciate you staying away from them."
There was a pause as Haelthiel looked Colin over before speaking once more. "Who is it that you have brought with you?"
Colin looked at him in confusion. "What are you talking about, you are the one who brought me here."
Halethiel lifted both hands to the air. The skies quickly darkened and thunder cracked. A beam of solid blackness streaked from the sky to shine directly down upon Colin. Halethiel's gaze then shifted from Colin's face to a point slightly over his shoulder. "State your name and purpose, creature."
Colin jumped when he heard a raspy, haunting voice which eminated from right behind him respond. "I am Visha and he is but a fragment." Colin spun around to find himself face to face with his own shadow.
"A fragment of what?"
"Of me... one I cannot be rid of." Colin looked from the shadow to Halethiel. Obviously he was creating this apparition for some purpose but the point escaped Colin. "What are you doing?"
"I am speaking to your guest. As you wish, however." By this time Colin's thin patience was almost gone. He rolled his eyes in irritation. "This is ridiculuos."
"Since I cannot grant your request and continue this conversation, I will make you comfortable for your stay." With a flick of Haelthiel's wrist Colin suddenly found himself surrounded by the walls of a cottage which seemed to appear from nowhere. The furnishings were quite luxurious, but upon quick review there was a distinct lack of exits. Colin could only sat in a chair and wait for this strange dream to end.
Choices (1-2)
Nephesh brought out his pad of paper and wrote a note which he promptly held up. 'Are you well?' The question took both Emalia and Colin off guard, and actually left Emalia wondering for a moment what the boy could mean.
"I'm fine..."
"Goodness Nephesh, did you walk through every bush you saw?"
'I've been searching for days...'
"We did leave very quietly."
Nephesh pointed to the obelisk around Emalia's neck. In truth, she had forgotten she had even put it on. 'I sensed it when it disappeared.'
"The demiplane..." Emalia had spoken this before she had fully realized that maybe Colin wouldn't want anyone knowing. And indeed, he quickly placed a hand upon her shoulder to silence her further.
'Demiplane?'
"Yes, we just had to leave for a while."
'I cast the spell so she would heal!'
"I wanted to be sure Emalia would be undisturbed, both while she slept and after. This has been a nice, restful place."
Irritated, Nephesh planted himself on the floor of the cavern and began to tear into a sandwich he had the foresight to pack. It seemed to be the mention of the baby once more, Brin being well again, that sent Nephesh to his feet, grabbing onto Emalia with sticky sandwich hands to listen to her mostly flat stomach. Seeming content, Nephesh listened with a quizzical face as Colin and Emalia both informed him of their marriage. His note after was simple. 'Congratulations,' it read.
"I have also come to a bit of a decision," Emalia began. She still had not even informed Colin of her thoughts, and both of them looked at her with a tinge of confusion. "I... don't believe taking this journey is the right thing for me to do. I've thought it over and... I have found myself, so I don't really need that any longer... and... well, I do have a family now..."
Colin's happy smile said volumes. "Really? Are you sure dear?"
"I believe so."
"You know I'm with you all the way but that does make me feel more at ease."
'I do not want you to trek this path while the baby grows in your belly. But it is your path, Emalia.'
"Well, I've thought a lot about it and feel that perhaps it is for the best."Nephesh shook his head and held up another note. 'Father was right.'
"Right?"
'You forgot the Vows of Absolution. To abandon the ways of Ao and deceit. He has fooled you. Have you forgotten the Voice, too?'
"Nephesh, please. Emalia is allowed to make her choice."
"I can't... kill all the people. The more I think about it and... I just can't."
'Kill people?'
"My mother, my father, my brother, my uncle... All of them would die when the RoK fell.. and... none of them would return. Colin too."
'That is why we must teach them the Truth. Do you think the RoK will fall when we find the Temple?'
"I'm not one of you anymore, Nephesh. I'm your friend... but..."
'It is your destiny to find the Temple, not bring down the RoK.'
"The temple is a step, yes?"
'The Temple will be used to STOP the RoK, Emalia.'
Emalia looked to the ground, her face flushing a bit. She had heard this somewhere before, but something still did not make sense to her. She knew that the idea of Rebirth was to bring the RoK down to make way for The Apprentice to return, and to have him bring back all the Faithful. "But if the Temple is to stop the RoK, why does Grobnak wish me to go?"
'Father does not understand why you are acting this way.'
"It doesn't matter. If it's my choice, then that is what it is."
'You still don't know what the Temple is for?'
Emalia kept her sigh of irritation in check. "All I know is what I will do is start a major conflict and many people will die, one way or another. I've decided I no longer wish to do that."
'It is called the Temple of Light for a reason, Emalia.'
"And the people for and against wish to know where to find it, Nephesh. I imagine to use or destroy it as they see fit. I will not lead them there."
"Nephesh, look, she has a new family now. Why is it so wrong for her to want to stay with them and watch it grow? Your father can find someone else to do this thing."
'This conflict you think you will be starting has been going on since before you or I was born.'
"Then I don't need to worry on it. If it's been going on, I have nothing more to add that won't be or hasn't been already." Emalia's words came out with a measure of calm that, up to that point, had evaded her. She felt a clarity in them and her vision now. She was no longer angry with the Realms. She saw by merely looking at Colin how balance did occur in the scheme of life - one truly evil could change for the better. While evil did appear to be prevalent everywhere, who was to say that just based on what she knew of Colin, that things would not right themselves without mass intervention.
Nephesh continued to attempt to convince Emalia that she had not heard the truth of the message, but to Emalia, she knew all she needed. She had heard Grobnak, she had heard Nephesh, and now she heard Colin, Jessiah, and all those in disagreement. While she still believed that the RoK should be stopped for all time, she had begun to waver in her commitment to The Apprentice and all that worked for his return. Her eyes now locked onto a beautiful rose colored vision of a promising future. As Nephesh went forth to complete the journey to the temple, Colin and Emalia went to their room, and after a time, found sleep in one another's arms.
"I'm fine..."
"Goodness Nephesh, did you walk through every bush you saw?"
'I've been searching for days...'
"We did leave very quietly."
Nephesh pointed to the obelisk around Emalia's neck. In truth, she had forgotten she had even put it on. 'I sensed it when it disappeared.'
"The demiplane..." Emalia had spoken this before she had fully realized that maybe Colin wouldn't want anyone knowing. And indeed, he quickly placed a hand upon her shoulder to silence her further.
'Demiplane?'
"Yes, we just had to leave for a while."
'I cast the spell so she would heal!'
"I wanted to be sure Emalia would be undisturbed, both while she slept and after. This has been a nice, restful place."
Irritated, Nephesh planted himself on the floor of the cavern and began to tear into a sandwich he had the foresight to pack. It seemed to be the mention of the baby once more, Brin being well again, that sent Nephesh to his feet, grabbing onto Emalia with sticky sandwich hands to listen to her mostly flat stomach. Seeming content, Nephesh listened with a quizzical face as Colin and Emalia both informed him of their marriage. His note after was simple. 'Congratulations,' it read.
"I have also come to a bit of a decision," Emalia began. She still had not even informed Colin of her thoughts, and both of them looked at her with a tinge of confusion. "I... don't believe taking this journey is the right thing for me to do. I've thought it over and... I have found myself, so I don't really need that any longer... and... well, I do have a family now..."
Colin's happy smile said volumes. "Really? Are you sure dear?"
"I believe so."
"You know I'm with you all the way but that does make me feel more at ease."
'I do not want you to trek this path while the baby grows in your belly. But it is your path, Emalia.'
"Well, I've thought a lot about it and feel that perhaps it is for the best."Nephesh shook his head and held up another note. 'Father was right.'
"Right?"
'You forgot the Vows of Absolution. To abandon the ways of Ao and deceit. He has fooled you. Have you forgotten the Voice, too?'
"Nephesh, please. Emalia is allowed to make her choice."
"I can't... kill all the people. The more I think about it and... I just can't."
'Kill people?'
"My mother, my father, my brother, my uncle... All of them would die when the RoK fell.. and... none of them would return. Colin too."
'That is why we must teach them the Truth. Do you think the RoK will fall when we find the Temple?'
"I'm not one of you anymore, Nephesh. I'm your friend... but..."
'It is your destiny to find the Temple, not bring down the RoK.'
"The temple is a step, yes?"
'The Temple will be used to STOP the RoK, Emalia.'
Emalia looked to the ground, her face flushing a bit. She had heard this somewhere before, but something still did not make sense to her. She knew that the idea of Rebirth was to bring the RoK down to make way for The Apprentice to return, and to have him bring back all the Faithful. "But if the Temple is to stop the RoK, why does Grobnak wish me to go?"
'Father does not understand why you are acting this way.'
"It doesn't matter. If it's my choice, then that is what it is."
'You still don't know what the Temple is for?'
Emalia kept her sigh of irritation in check. "All I know is what I will do is start a major conflict and many people will die, one way or another. I've decided I no longer wish to do that."
'It is called the Temple of Light for a reason, Emalia.'
"And the people for and against wish to know where to find it, Nephesh. I imagine to use or destroy it as they see fit. I will not lead them there."
"Nephesh, look, she has a new family now. Why is it so wrong for her to want to stay with them and watch it grow? Your father can find someone else to do this thing."
'This conflict you think you will be starting has been going on since before you or I was born.'
"Then I don't need to worry on it. If it's been going on, I have nothing more to add that won't be or hasn't been already." Emalia's words came out with a measure of calm that, up to that point, had evaded her. She felt a clarity in them and her vision now. She was no longer angry with the Realms. She saw by merely looking at Colin how balance did occur in the scheme of life - one truly evil could change for the better. While evil did appear to be prevalent everywhere, who was to say that just based on what she knew of Colin, that things would not right themselves without mass intervention.
Nephesh continued to attempt to convince Emalia that she had not heard the truth of the message, but to Emalia, she knew all she needed. She had heard Grobnak, she had heard Nephesh, and now she heard Colin, Jessiah, and all those in disagreement. While she still believed that the RoK should be stopped for all time, she had begun to waver in her commitment to The Apprentice and all that worked for his return. Her eyes now locked onto a beautiful rose colored vision of a promising future. As Nephesh went forth to complete the journey to the temple, Colin and Emalia went to their room, and after a time, found sleep in one another's arms.
Change of Heart
Emalia's honeymoon floated by like a gossamer cloud of bliss. While she had initially been eager to set off once more on the journey, she found that Colin's words were true: "The world isn't going anywhere. It's ok to take some time for yourself." She, however, did not expect that once she allowed the world to wait, that she would begin to change her mind.
Sanria had discovered the two were there (how, Emalia did not know other than her Uncle), and had come to visit. It was a shock to see her mother and it made Emalia frustrated, too. Her mother didn't seem at all interested in Colin, but in being upset that Emalia didn't include her in her life. It was even more upsetting hearing about her mother and Sir Throm. In Emalia's mind, her mother's trip would end with the reunion of her mother and her *father* - the two true lovers - not this farce. Sanria's visit did eventually end with her motherly warnings to Colin ("You had better take care of my daughter."), and her motherly advice to Emalia ("You know, I'm sure Throm would let you back into Guardians if you would ask"). Emalia took the words with even less than a grain of salt and as her mother left, she took refuge in Colin's chest.
'What does it matter,' she thought, 'when they're all dead anyway?' And this sliver of thought, coupled with Colin's words, coupled with the tablet Jessiah had given her made her begin to wonder just how many families she would be sending to the slaughter and her realization that even IF her mother refused to see that she was made for her father (and not Sir Throm), she still didn't want them all to die. Not really - no matter how angry they made her. Indeed, who was she to condemn everyone?
This sent the following day into a full-throated burst of sublimity: walks in the woods, picnics, and other things that come with the territory of those being newly wed. Colin and Emalia fell asleep in one another's arms and woke to a third day filled with the promise of the same.
Emalia felt a weight had lifted from her that she was unaware even resided upon her. Finally, she felt unburdened and happy and even delighted with the prospect of simply settling down and having her family with Colin. She'd been amused more than a few times at how her sash wasn't quite fitting the same. She was only barely showing any sign of a child within - but to her - she'd grown a mountain on her body.
The verdurous air of the day had completely enveloped Emalia and Colin as they returned to the cavern. The sparkling of the crystals and the din of the falls that cascaded over the entry brought them closer and seemed to cast upon them a spell which compelled them to whisper sweet nothings. This was their position when Nephesh stumbled into the cavern looking unkempt, unwashed, and quite irritated.
Sanria had discovered the two were there (how, Emalia did not know other than her Uncle), and had come to visit. It was a shock to see her mother and it made Emalia frustrated, too. Her mother didn't seem at all interested in Colin, but in being upset that Emalia didn't include her in her life. It was even more upsetting hearing about her mother and Sir Throm. In Emalia's mind, her mother's trip would end with the reunion of her mother and her *father* - the two true lovers - not this farce. Sanria's visit did eventually end with her motherly warnings to Colin ("You had better take care of my daughter."), and her motherly advice to Emalia ("You know, I'm sure Throm would let you back into Guardians if you would ask"). Emalia took the words with even less than a grain of salt and as her mother left, she took refuge in Colin's chest.
'What does it matter,' she thought, 'when they're all dead anyway?' And this sliver of thought, coupled with Colin's words, coupled with the tablet Jessiah had given her made her begin to wonder just how many families she would be sending to the slaughter and her realization that even IF her mother refused to see that she was made for her father (and not Sir Throm), she still didn't want them all to die. Not really - no matter how angry they made her. Indeed, who was she to condemn everyone?
This sent the following day into a full-throated burst of sublimity: walks in the woods, picnics, and other things that come with the territory of those being newly wed. Colin and Emalia fell asleep in one another's arms and woke to a third day filled with the promise of the same.
Emalia felt a weight had lifted from her that she was unaware even resided upon her. Finally, she felt unburdened and happy and even delighted with the prospect of simply settling down and having her family with Colin. She'd been amused more than a few times at how her sash wasn't quite fitting the same. She was only barely showing any sign of a child within - but to her - she'd grown a mountain on her body.
The verdurous air of the day had completely enveloped Emalia and Colin as they returned to the cavern. The sparkling of the crystals and the din of the falls that cascaded over the entry brought them closer and seemed to cast upon them a spell which compelled them to whisper sweet nothings. This was their position when Nephesh stumbled into the cavern looking unkempt, unwashed, and quite irritated.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)