Throm had gone and Sanria pulled up one of the chairs in the room. She gave a deep sigh as she watched Colin thrashing about on the floor. "You may as well stop. You cannot fight nature." Sanria watched as Colin's face grew red. "Emalia is not your dog, Colin. She doesn't belong to any of us."
"She belongs to me, she belongs with me, and if that creature has taken her..."
"No," Sanria sighed. "Don't you think, Colin, that I've endured this as well?"
"You keeping me here could be the very thing that takes her away - have you thought of that?"
"You understand nothing but presume to know everything," Sanria said, letting out yet another sigh. She leaned forward, looking down at the large man whose face was burning with intensity.
"Funny, I was thinking the exact same thing of you."
"I know you are worried, Colin. I am too." Sanria paused a moment, her worst fears about her daughter being confirmed. Due to this black makou business, Emalia was nowhere to be found. She hung her head at her next words, "But already, Throm's lack of thought has landed us here. He rushed here to give you two something that should not have been freely given. Now, the result is that it and my daughter are missing."
"But right now.. he could have her.. doing... who knows what to her."
Colin again struggled with the vines, though finding himself still restrained did nothing to slow him down. In fact, his face grew more red with every renewed effort he gave. It did unnerve Sanria a bit seeing him so upset. If anything happened where her spell would falter, she didn't know what he might do. "I want you to think for a moment of when you have your own daughter."
"Because of you I might not even HAVE my daughter! How can you do this, do you not care at all!?"
The words stung Sanria deeply. Immediately, she felt that it wasn't worth attempting to discuss. She knew that the moment she allowed Colin up, he would either commence thrashing her, or he would bolt from the door and put Emalia into even worse danger. She was in no way prepared for the words that were to come from her captive: "Maybe Emalia was right and that IS why you decided to just leave her behind and chase your own whims."
Sanria sat up, tilting her head to the side. A couple renegade tears rolled from her eyes as she looked down upon Colin. "What?"
"After she took care of you for all that time and once Thasmudyan came back you didn't have time for her anymore."
Sanria sat back with a sad smile. Again she was confronted with the thoughts of her daughter. The shame she felt as well as the pain of knowing how her actions drove her daughter from her life washed over her anew. "Do you see right now how you treat me?" she asked, waving a hand. The vines sprung immediately to life, wrapping themselves around Colin's mouth and head. He could still see, but speaking was no longer a luxury. "How you drop everything else because your lover is in danger?"
Sanria once again leaned forward, not bothering to hide her emotions now. Tears were in her eyes, as was rage that she had not yet been able to vent. Her face was red, blotchy, and contorted. "After eighteen years of being insane, having my own daughter taking care of me, I find the one person I had been seeking in my mind for EIGHTEEN YEARS. I didn't leave her, I was overcome with absolute joy that my lover... the one man that meant the world to me, the FATHER of YOUR WIFE had returned to me. Of COURSE I wanted to spend time with him!"
Only a sob forced Sanria to pause. "GODS you think you understand but you won't even look at your own situation to GET IT! I NEVER stopped loving Emalia, Colin. No matter what YOU or SHE may think. You would run off in an instant to save her? WELCOME TO MY WORLD. I find her and she acts as though I'm dirt, never understanding... never bothering to. Just like you. You will NOT get my daughter hurt, nor anyone else I love because you bullheadedly think she is the only living thing in the realms. I'm sorry. Throm will speak with Grobnak and you WILL wait."
Sanria wiped her eyes, letting out a couple more sobs, before finally letting Colin's mouth free. "At least I won't keep you here eighteen years waiting on it."
The tirade did nothing and Colin continued on, unrelenting. His ire rose until suddenly, he laid upon the floor, looking calm. "How did I end up down here?"
The question stopped Sanria for a moment, and she stared at the man in disbelief. She could not comprehend why Colin would ask such a thing, and this, coupled with his absolute rage, his sudden calm... her only recourse was to call on her brother. She was not going to sit in the room any longer with the chance that another odd change in Colin would crop up.
Going On a Grobnak Hunt (1-2)
Throm and Sanria arrived back at the caverns and headed directly to the room where they knew Colin and Emalia to be staying. The door opened almost at the same moment Sanria knocked. "Sanr... um, mom."
"Hello, Colin."
"I was just about to come talk to you."
The three exchanged a few more greetings as Sanria walked into the room. Emalia was obviously absent, making Sanria only slightly worried. "Where is Emalia?"
"That's exactly what I was going to ask you...I woke up this morning and she was gone."
"Gone?"
"She didn't leave via the Cavern entrance... this much I know," Throm said. The response seemed to irritate Colin a bit.
"Well how do you know she didn't leave?"
"I told you I'd keep watch from afar... I have kept my word until now."
"Well," Sanria interrupted, hoping to soothe the situation, "Emalia we can find. I'm sure she's just gone off to do... something or other."
"I just wouldn't expect her to just wander off... not now," Colin added with a deep sigh.
"You still have the black makou, yes? It's why we came."
"Yes," Colin answered, "it's right over..." Colin stopped, looking at the nightstand. "Well, it was right here..."
"You kept it on the nightstand?" Sanria asked incredulously.
"Well I didn't think it was going to just get up and walk away. I'm telling you, it was right here." Colin looked through the sheets on the bed while Sanria looked to Throm. Without projecting such thoughts, she frowned at him. 'I told you.'
Throm, however, didn't seem to notice. "It's not here."
"Do you think... she took it?"
The very notion almost made Sanria scoff. "Emalia wouldn't have touched that stuff if it is what I believe it to be... but with her, I never know for sure."
Colin turned to both Sanria and Throm with irritation clear upon his face. "Just what is going on here? Can't either of you find her, you know, with some kind of magic or something?"
Sanria turned to the windows with a sigh and closed her eyes. Though Colin and Throm continued speaking, she didn't hear them. In the same manner she sought out Throm, she sought out Emalia. Her mind stretched through the very earth itself, yet nothing in nature had any idea where her daughter was. It was unnerving, but she tried again, this time seeking Emalia's very essence... and found nothing. She spoke out, attempting to find Emalia's mind, but found nothing.
In a desperate bid to be certain, she shouted into Colin's mind, "COLIN!"
"What are you doing?" he asked, hunching down. "I'm right here!"
"She's not here... she's... she's nowhere. I tried, I tried seeking her mind, her essence, she's not here. She's..."
"Pardon?" Throm asked.
"How can she not be here? You are certain she did not leave?" Colin asked Throm. "Are you positive?"
"My guardian would have alerted me the second either you or Emalia left the waterfall," Throm replied with a nod.
"Where... where could she be? There just nothing... Nothing. Throm, try." Sanria looked at Throm, her face pale and full of concern.
Throm, too, closed his eyes and sought out Emalia. Colin's face contorted with a touch of rage as he waited. "No... he wouldn't dare."
"Who wouldn't?" Sanria asked. "What are you talking about, Colin?"
"Grobnak. If he has some hand in this-"
"I won't claim to hear the planet's voice anymore....but I get the feeling that the Lifestream does not recognize her presence," Throm interrupted.
Colin walked to the table, grabbing up his sword. Sanria's eyes opened wide. "Where are you going?"
"I've had enough of this. I'm going to do something."
"Just you wait a minute," Sanria shot. "Everyone seems to have forgone thought in favor of the rash." This did nothing to slow the massive Colin from striding toward the door. "Stop! Don't you see... just wait a minute!"
"It's obvious that all of this 'searching' isn't getting anywhere. I'm going to get answers. You both can stay here in this room if you want."
"Colin, I want to know where she is too, but I'll not run off with the posibility of hurting her. Now WAIT."
"No," Colin said, glaring at Sanria. "You wait. I'm going to go find my wife. The two of you can stay here and think until you both pass out but for all I know Grobnak had done something to her and I intend to find out."
The audacity sent Sanria into a bit of a rage. How could this man refuse to see that his temper just might cause more trouble? Sanria walked to him, stuffing a finger in his chest as she spoke. "Listen. That is my daughter and my grandchild. If you run off causing trouble with things you don't understand, you might get her hurt, wherever she is."Throm spoke as Sanria's hand was shoved away. "Grobnak... perhaps I should speak to him. His name is popping up an awful lot lately."
"Better you than this hot head," Sanria snorted.
Still, Colin insisted upon storming out. Sanria could only think of what trouble it could cause, upsetting the Jihad. She had dealt with a couple of them on occasion, and while they didn't seem as vile as others she'd dealt with, she couldn't help but realize they'd go to any lengths to acheive their objectives. She didn't worry on the consequences as she encanted a spell, entangling Colin's feet to the floor with vines. "Wait, I said."
Colin hit the floor with a crash, and turned to stare at Sanria with a burning glare. "What do you think you are doing!?"
"Making you use that brain of yours." Sanria gave a sigh as she turned back to Throm. "Will you be safe speaking with Grobnak?"
"YOU do not tell ME what to do! I'm going to go do something about MY missing wife!"
Before waiting for Throm's reply, Sanria glared down at Colin, her finger pointed threateningly. "In a minute I will have you completely entwined. Now settle down." Quickly, she renewed the strength of her spell, her vines obediantly coiling about Colin's feet and legs. She looked again to Throm. "Go... find Grobnak and I'll keep this gentleman here with me."
Throm walked to Colin and nearer to the door. He took a moment to kneel down, resting a hand on Colin. "If we're going to find her, we'll need to work as a team... not against each other."
"Hello, Colin."
"I was just about to come talk to you."
The three exchanged a few more greetings as Sanria walked into the room. Emalia was obviously absent, making Sanria only slightly worried. "Where is Emalia?"
"That's exactly what I was going to ask you...I woke up this morning and she was gone."
"Gone?"
"She didn't leave via the Cavern entrance... this much I know," Throm said. The response seemed to irritate Colin a bit.
"Well how do you know she didn't leave?"
"I told you I'd keep watch from afar... I have kept my word until now."
"Well," Sanria interrupted, hoping to soothe the situation, "Emalia we can find. I'm sure she's just gone off to do... something or other."
"I just wouldn't expect her to just wander off... not now," Colin added with a deep sigh.
"You still have the black makou, yes? It's why we came."
"Yes," Colin answered, "it's right over..." Colin stopped, looking at the nightstand. "Well, it was right here..."
"You kept it on the nightstand?" Sanria asked incredulously.
"Well I didn't think it was going to just get up and walk away. I'm telling you, it was right here." Colin looked through the sheets on the bed while Sanria looked to Throm. Without projecting such thoughts, she frowned at him. 'I told you.'
Throm, however, didn't seem to notice. "It's not here."
"Do you think... she took it?"
The very notion almost made Sanria scoff. "Emalia wouldn't have touched that stuff if it is what I believe it to be... but with her, I never know for sure."
Colin turned to both Sanria and Throm with irritation clear upon his face. "Just what is going on here? Can't either of you find her, you know, with some kind of magic or something?"
Sanria turned to the windows with a sigh and closed her eyes. Though Colin and Throm continued speaking, she didn't hear them. In the same manner she sought out Throm, she sought out Emalia. Her mind stretched through the very earth itself, yet nothing in nature had any idea where her daughter was. It was unnerving, but she tried again, this time seeking Emalia's very essence... and found nothing. She spoke out, attempting to find Emalia's mind, but found nothing.
In a desperate bid to be certain, she shouted into Colin's mind, "COLIN!"
"What are you doing?" he asked, hunching down. "I'm right here!"
"She's not here... she's... she's nowhere. I tried, I tried seeking her mind, her essence, she's not here. She's..."
"Pardon?" Throm asked.
"How can she not be here? You are certain she did not leave?" Colin asked Throm. "Are you positive?"
"My guardian would have alerted me the second either you or Emalia left the waterfall," Throm replied with a nod.
"Where... where could she be? There just nothing... Nothing. Throm, try." Sanria looked at Throm, her face pale and full of concern.
Throm, too, closed his eyes and sought out Emalia. Colin's face contorted with a touch of rage as he waited. "No... he wouldn't dare."
"Who wouldn't?" Sanria asked. "What are you talking about, Colin?"
"Grobnak. If he has some hand in this-"
"I won't claim to hear the planet's voice anymore....but I get the feeling that the Lifestream does not recognize her presence," Throm interrupted.
Colin walked to the table, grabbing up his sword. Sanria's eyes opened wide. "Where are you going?"
"I've had enough of this. I'm going to do something."
"Just you wait a minute," Sanria shot. "Everyone seems to have forgone thought in favor of the rash." This did nothing to slow the massive Colin from striding toward the door. "Stop! Don't you see... just wait a minute!"
"It's obvious that all of this 'searching' isn't getting anywhere. I'm going to get answers. You both can stay here in this room if you want."
"Colin, I want to know where she is too, but I'll not run off with the posibility of hurting her. Now WAIT."
"No," Colin said, glaring at Sanria. "You wait. I'm going to go find my wife. The two of you can stay here and think until you both pass out but for all I know Grobnak had done something to her and I intend to find out."
The audacity sent Sanria into a bit of a rage. How could this man refuse to see that his temper just might cause more trouble? Sanria walked to him, stuffing a finger in his chest as she spoke. "Listen. That is my daughter and my grandchild. If you run off causing trouble with things you don't understand, you might get her hurt, wherever she is."Throm spoke as Sanria's hand was shoved away. "Grobnak... perhaps I should speak to him. His name is popping up an awful lot lately."
"Better you than this hot head," Sanria snorted.
Still, Colin insisted upon storming out. Sanria could only think of what trouble it could cause, upsetting the Jihad. She had dealt with a couple of them on occasion, and while they didn't seem as vile as others she'd dealt with, she couldn't help but realize they'd go to any lengths to acheive their objectives. She didn't worry on the consequences as she encanted a spell, entangling Colin's feet to the floor with vines. "Wait, I said."
Colin hit the floor with a crash, and turned to stare at Sanria with a burning glare. "What do you think you are doing!?"
"Making you use that brain of yours." Sanria gave a sigh as she turned back to Throm. "Will you be safe speaking with Grobnak?"
"YOU do not tell ME what to do! I'm going to go do something about MY missing wife!"
Before waiting for Throm's reply, Sanria glared down at Colin, her finger pointed threateningly. "In a minute I will have you completely entwined. Now settle down." Quickly, she renewed the strength of her spell, her vines obediantly coiling about Colin's feet and legs. She looked again to Throm. "Go... find Grobnak and I'll keep this gentleman here with me."
Throm walked to Colin and nearer to the door. He took a moment to kneel down, resting a hand on Colin. "If we're going to find her, we'll need to work as a team... not against each other."
Romance?
Nisstyre's Tavern was relatively quiet and as always, it was out of the way. The whole tavern itself was rather dark, so Sanria found it nice that Throm laid a hand on her shoulder first. With a bit in the way of greetings, the two sat down at the table where Throm had been quite hidden.
Sanria sat, thinking briefly how odd it was that she hadn't yet told Emalia that she was engaged to Throm. Admittedly, with the reception she had from Emalia *without* telling her, she wasn't sure when the right time would occur. Then she looked at Throm and smiled in return of his smile. "Hello, Sanria. I hope I've found you well today.""I would have been so much better were it not for that fright you sent to deliver the missive, but I will forgive you," Sanria grinned."I'll admit freely that romance was never my strong suit."
Hearing that this was an attempt at romance settled Sanria a little, though as she thought about this, she realized just how little she and Throm ever really did... how little they ever really touched... but such thoughts finally left her mind at the sight of Throm's expression fading into something more serious. How rare she got to have a day with him where there wasn't something creasing his face. 'So,' she thought, 'this isn't about romance after all.'
Throm began to tell her of his dream in which Emalia was said to have a virus given her by Grobnak, and how he was told to give as a cure black makou, to Colin. It shocked Sanria deeply that Throm would set off to do anything based on a simple dream, and even more that he would have given a substance so detrimental to Emalia and Colin after all they had been through in the north. It made her angry, but she tried her best not to show it. After all, she didn't believe Throm would to anything without good reason for it. Still, she knew that the only answer would be to go to Emalia and Colin and get the vial back (and this prospect frightened her terribly - knowing how volitile she and Emalia seemed to be anymore).
Sanria could tell by the expression on Throm's face that she had dealt him some sort of blow. She couldn't hide the fact that she didn't believe his dream. She moved to his side of the table, putting a hand gently on his cheek, then to his hands. "We will have to work on this, you know. Communication."
"I know."
"For now, I am definitely worried. In a way... I'm worried simply because Emalia *is* a lot like me... Prone to sometimes do silly things." Sanria let out a small chuckle. They discussed Emalia only a little longer before rising from the table, ready to set off to reclaim a substance that spelled nothing but wretchedness. Sanria hoped as they walked that she had prompted them to do the right thing - both for Emalia, and for themselves. She walked with her arm around his waist, thinking over so many of her decisions.
Sanria sat, thinking briefly how odd it was that she hadn't yet told Emalia that she was engaged to Throm. Admittedly, with the reception she had from Emalia *without* telling her, she wasn't sure when the right time would occur. Then she looked at Throm and smiled in return of his smile. "Hello, Sanria. I hope I've found you well today.""I would have been so much better were it not for that fright you sent to deliver the missive, but I will forgive you," Sanria grinned."I'll admit freely that romance was never my strong suit."
Hearing that this was an attempt at romance settled Sanria a little, though as she thought about this, she realized just how little she and Throm ever really did... how little they ever really touched... but such thoughts finally left her mind at the sight of Throm's expression fading into something more serious. How rare she got to have a day with him where there wasn't something creasing his face. 'So,' she thought, 'this isn't about romance after all.'
Throm began to tell her of his dream in which Emalia was said to have a virus given her by Grobnak, and how he was told to give as a cure black makou, to Colin. It shocked Sanria deeply that Throm would set off to do anything based on a simple dream, and even more that he would have given a substance so detrimental to Emalia and Colin after all they had been through in the north. It made her angry, but she tried her best not to show it. After all, she didn't believe Throm would to anything without good reason for it. Still, she knew that the only answer would be to go to Emalia and Colin and get the vial back (and this prospect frightened her terribly - knowing how volitile she and Emalia seemed to be anymore).
Sanria could tell by the expression on Throm's face that she had dealt him some sort of blow. She couldn't hide the fact that she didn't believe his dream. She moved to his side of the table, putting a hand gently on his cheek, then to his hands. "We will have to work on this, you know. Communication."
"I know."
"For now, I am definitely worried. In a way... I'm worried simply because Emalia *is* a lot like me... Prone to sometimes do silly things." Sanria let out a small chuckle. They discussed Emalia only a little longer before rising from the table, ready to set off to reclaim a substance that spelled nothing but wretchedness. Sanria hoped as they walked that she had prompted them to do the right thing - both for Emalia, and for themselves. She walked with her arm around his waist, thinking over so many of her decisions.
Invitation
Sanria touched along the hull of her ship with light fingers. The cavern this morning, as always, was sparkling with the light of the millions of crystals embedded within the walls. The din of the waterfall, made almost silent by a magic spell cast long before it was her home, echoed lightly in her ears. The dints and long scratches, even some gashes, caused her fingers to move up and down and she sighed. She might have to take on a few cargo runs to pay someone to hammer out and replace the hull in many places. Her mind wasn't on much else when a walking suit of armor entered the caverns, halting right in the middle.
After everything Sanria had endured in the north, having arrived home not long ago, she immediately went on high alert. She pulled out her whip, ready to attack. "You... get out of here! Get out of my home... OUT!"
The armor lifted a hand in a gesture that reminded Sanria of someone giving their word, no violence would be done here. After a moment of hesitation, Sanria recoiled her whip and locked it back onto her hip. In the palm of the warrior's hand was a scroll, tiny, and tightly rolled. "What a messenger. I'm telling you."
The armor laid the scroll down and backed away as Sanria reached it, opened it, and began to read:
Dearest Sanria,
My apologies I couldn't meet you here myself, however I feel that given circumstances as of late such acts might be inappropriate on my behalf. Though the journey is a long one indeed I wondered if you might see fit to meet me at Nisstyre's Tavern in Westbridge.
With all hopes that I might see you soon.
Yours truly, and truly yours,
Throm
Sanria frowned and looked toward the entrance of the cavern. It seemed whenever she heard, or read, the words, "Throm, circumstances, inappropriate, apologies," her stomach churned and she worried. She let a small sigh and shook her head, and without a word to the armor in her home, walked off toward Westbridge. "I'm not sure I like this."
After everything Sanria had endured in the north, having arrived home not long ago, she immediately went on high alert. She pulled out her whip, ready to attack. "You... get out of here! Get out of my home... OUT!"
The armor lifted a hand in a gesture that reminded Sanria of someone giving their word, no violence would be done here. After a moment of hesitation, Sanria recoiled her whip and locked it back onto her hip. In the palm of the warrior's hand was a scroll, tiny, and tightly rolled. "What a messenger. I'm telling you."
The armor laid the scroll down and backed away as Sanria reached it, opened it, and began to read:
Dearest Sanria,
My apologies I couldn't meet you here myself, however I feel that given circumstances as of late such acts might be inappropriate on my behalf. Though the journey is a long one indeed I wondered if you might see fit to meet me at Nisstyre's Tavern in Westbridge.
With all hopes that I might see you soon.
Yours truly, and truly yours,
Throm
Sanria frowned and looked toward the entrance of the cavern. It seemed whenever she heard, or read, the words, "Throm, circumstances, inappropriate, apologies," her stomach churned and she worried. She let a small sigh and shook her head, and without a word to the armor in her home, walked off toward Westbridge. "I'm not sure I like this."
Dreamless Sleep
Emalia hadn't kept track of the time. She had no idea how long she'd been sitting in the cottage, but the only sound she had heard was her own sobbing. "Emalia," the controlled voice called.
Immediately, Emalia snapped her head up to see the tall man, his white robes and black mantle seemingly marking him as one with no affiliations what-so-ever - a blight of colorless darkness in a world that seemed completely comprised of every color the world could haveoffered. "Who are you..."
"This precaution was deemed necessary to keep you, and the Realms, safe while we research a cure for your ailment."
"I'm NOT SICK!" Emalia screamed. She stumbled to her feet, looking around the man. Noticing suddenly, Colin was missing. "Where is Colin?"
"He has gone to gather more materials for us to help you. If you are not ill, time will show it, and you have only lost time in the outside world. If you are mistaken, how many lives would be lost?"
Emalia thought on this for only a second before spitting out her retort: "I'm not wrong. I KNOW it. Let me out of here." She pushed past the man, the very act of brushing against him sending her into chills. "I want out, NOW. NOW!"
The man before her looked only very remotely irritated, as he waved his hand almost casually to make the entire cottage vanish. "You are free to roam about this region, Emalia."
It was indescribable, the terror that hit Emalia as she looked around herself. The full colors that swirled each time the wind blew, the sky - now an unnatural shade of pink, the acres of red moss that grew beneath her feet, and forests of trees that somehow - weren't quite right.
"This... is not natural. Oh heavens... this is not natural," she whispered to herself.
"We are in the dream of The Apprentice. You are safe here," Halethiel spoke.
"What mean you?"
"This is the world as it was meant to be, before Ao interfered. It is only you and I here. Others cannot be infected by your illness here, until we find a cure. I truly hope that we are wrong and you are not ill, as you say."
Emalia did not believe this in the least. Calm began to come from her, but unlike the times prior, when she had been walking upon the face of the real world, this calm was short lived. It wore her down considerably, and made her incredibly weary. There was no way for her to understand that she was drawing upon herself alone now... no lifeforce reached this place save the amount she was made with. She was too afraid to move, and to drained to think. Halethiel had walked off to the distant cabin, leaving her alone. Even if she had wanted to, the walk to the cabin was out of the question. She curled into a ball upon the ground, time passing achingly slow all around her, and finally, dropped off into a dreamless sleep.
Immediately, Emalia snapped her head up to see the tall man, his white robes and black mantle seemingly marking him as one with no affiliations what-so-ever - a blight of colorless darkness in a world that seemed completely comprised of every color the world could haveoffered. "Who are you..."
"This precaution was deemed necessary to keep you, and the Realms, safe while we research a cure for your ailment."
"I'm NOT SICK!" Emalia screamed. She stumbled to her feet, looking around the man. Noticing suddenly, Colin was missing. "Where is Colin?"
"He has gone to gather more materials for us to help you. If you are not ill, time will show it, and you have only lost time in the outside world. If you are mistaken, how many lives would be lost?"
Emalia thought on this for only a second before spitting out her retort: "I'm not wrong. I KNOW it. Let me out of here." She pushed past the man, the very act of brushing against him sending her into chills. "I want out, NOW. NOW!"
The man before her looked only very remotely irritated, as he waved his hand almost casually to make the entire cottage vanish. "You are free to roam about this region, Emalia."
It was indescribable, the terror that hit Emalia as she looked around herself. The full colors that swirled each time the wind blew, the sky - now an unnatural shade of pink, the acres of red moss that grew beneath her feet, and forests of trees that somehow - weren't quite right.
"This... is not natural. Oh heavens... this is not natural," she whispered to herself.
"We are in the dream of The Apprentice. You are safe here," Halethiel spoke.
"What mean you?"
"This is the world as it was meant to be, before Ao interfered. It is only you and I here. Others cannot be infected by your illness here, until we find a cure. I truly hope that we are wrong and you are not ill, as you say."
Emalia did not believe this in the least. Calm began to come from her, but unlike the times prior, when she had been walking upon the face of the real world, this calm was short lived. It wore her down considerably, and made her incredibly weary. There was no way for her to understand that she was drawing upon herself alone now... no lifeforce reached this place save the amount she was made with. She was too afraid to move, and to drained to think. Halethiel had walked off to the distant cabin, leaving her alone. Even if she had wanted to, the walk to the cabin was out of the question. She curled into a ball upon the ground, time passing achingly slow all around her, and finally, dropped off into a dreamless sleep.
Wind blows Wicked
The compression of the void upon her was tremendous, and it verily pressed the air from her chest. Just when the panic had risen to its breaking point, and Emalia was beginning to truly fight for what she thought was her life, she and Colin arrived through the portal and into a plane like none other.
"Colin! What the hell is wrong with you?!" Emalia nearly screamed. Now it seemed that Colin had nothing to say to her at all, as he promptly released her and began looking around.
Emalia shook her head in irritation, and her eyes immediately caught the sight of a man that stilled the breath in her chest for yet a second time today. He was tall, with a face that looked almost undead in its appearance. His expression was one of perfect indifference as he looked on the two calmly, then to Emalia with a nod. "Well met, Emalia."
"Colin..." Emalia began, ignoring the greeting. Something was very wrong here, very wrong indeed. "Who is that man?"
"Have you brought my fee for keeping the woman safe?"
Colin pulled from his tunic the very same vial of black makou that had been given him by Throm. Emalia couldn't believe her eyes. "Colin!" she gasped, rushing to grip her husband's arm. "You just gave him black makou!!!"
"Your safety is being assured," the tall, withered man said calmly.
Emalia couldn't believe the look upon Colin's face. She had never seen anything like it - irritation. As if she were a nuisance to be pushed away. "You will be fine and I will return for you later," he said with a marked coolness.
"I have no say in this?" Emalia asked, her voice rising slightly in pitch. Her head was simply swimming. She wanted to cry, to scream, to run away... but all around her was the oddest reality she'd ever seen. Red moss on the ground, swirling colors of wind, purple skies -
"No, I'm afraid you don't."
"It was necessary for me to obtain this substance so that it could be studied, and we can combat its effects on the waking world." Halethiel then continued, "You have a say in all things. In this, your voice has been quieted, I'm afraid."
Emalia's eyes filled with tears, but before she could say anything, she found herself locked within a cottage. She spun around in a panic, there were no doors. While the insides were well furnished - a bed, a desk, and all the accoutrements of home - it was still a prison; Emalia's prison. She raced to the walls, dragging nervously twitching fingers along the wood. There was nothing false about it - it was real... and there was no way out.
With a few more moments spent in frantic search, Emalia sat in the middle of the floor, afraid to even seat herself on the luxurious chairs by the fire. There was nothing she could do, but dread, contemplate, sob, and wait.
"Colin! What the hell is wrong with you?!" Emalia nearly screamed. Now it seemed that Colin had nothing to say to her at all, as he promptly released her and began looking around.
Emalia shook her head in irritation, and her eyes immediately caught the sight of a man that stilled the breath in her chest for yet a second time today. He was tall, with a face that looked almost undead in its appearance. His expression was one of perfect indifference as he looked on the two calmly, then to Emalia with a nod. "Well met, Emalia."
"Colin..." Emalia began, ignoring the greeting. Something was very wrong here, very wrong indeed. "Who is that man?"
"Have you brought my fee for keeping the woman safe?"
Colin pulled from his tunic the very same vial of black makou that had been given him by Throm. Emalia couldn't believe her eyes. "Colin!" she gasped, rushing to grip her husband's arm. "You just gave him black makou!!!"
"Your safety is being assured," the tall, withered man said calmly.
Emalia couldn't believe the look upon Colin's face. She had never seen anything like it - irritation. As if she were a nuisance to be pushed away. "You will be fine and I will return for you later," he said with a marked coolness.
"I have no say in this?" Emalia asked, her voice rising slightly in pitch. Her head was simply swimming. She wanted to cry, to scream, to run away... but all around her was the oddest reality she'd ever seen. Red moss on the ground, swirling colors of wind, purple skies -
"No, I'm afraid you don't."
"It was necessary for me to obtain this substance so that it could be studied, and we can combat its effects on the waking world." Halethiel then continued, "You have a say in all things. In this, your voice has been quieted, I'm afraid."
Emalia's eyes filled with tears, but before she could say anything, she found herself locked within a cottage. She spun around in a panic, there were no doors. While the insides were well furnished - a bed, a desk, and all the accoutrements of home - it was still a prison; Emalia's prison. She raced to the walls, dragging nervously twitching fingers along the wood. There was nothing false about it - it was real... and there was no way out.
With a few more moments spent in frantic search, Emalia sat in the middle of the floor, afraid to even seat herself on the luxurious chairs by the fire. There was nothing she could do, but dread, contemplate, sob, and wait.
Into the Vortex
"Wake up. You have to get up."
Emalia felt a grip on her shoulder that stunned her into wakefulness. Whatever Colin wanted, it was urgent. "Wha... what is it?" Emalia pulled herself from the bed, rubbing her eyes. Just hours before, Throm had left and they had spoken little before sleeping once again. She found it strange that already, something else had happened.
"Throm contacted me, he found something," Colin said with a touch of haste.
"He... when? He came back?"
Colin had already rounded the bed. With this question, he gripped her hand and pulled her completely to her feet. "No, he contracted me through the Guardians. Come, we have to go."
Emalia, still waking, found Colin's quick, almost snappish manner strange. She wasn't sick, Colin was. So why - "He left me an item to open a portal to him, in case something happened. I have already activated it, we just have to go." Colin latched his hand around Emalia's and began to pull her toward the corner. There sat a swirling grey vortex - its short, whispy tentrils snaking out, as if searching for a person to step through.
"Wait," Emalia said, fear creeping into her voice. "Just, wait..." Colin had no hesitations. Emalia leaned back, pulling against him, but still he walked to the vortex, practically dragging her behind him. "Colin! Stop this!"
"Emalia, there is no time. You could be in danger."
"I'm not in danger, I'm fine!"
This managed to have Colin stop, but the crushing grip he kept on Emalia's hand still alarmed her. He turned his grey eyes on her, looking almost stern. "No, you're not. Now let's go."
There was no room for Emalia to say anything, try as she might. "Colin, I don't like this... I don't want to go in here..."
"Don't worry, you'll understand soon enough, right now we have to go."
Colin pulled her to the front of the vortex. Just seeing the tendrils of etherial energy snaking around her arm and shoulder made Emalia tremble. The last time this happened, she was asleep. Awake, the portal was terrifying. "Colin!"
"It's just like the last time, don't worry, all will be better soon." Roughly, Colin pulled Emalia to him. "Mmmm... that's nice. Well, in we go." Emalia had no time to ponder the response, or protest. Colin stepped into the grey void, taking Emalia right along with him.
Emalia felt a grip on her shoulder that stunned her into wakefulness. Whatever Colin wanted, it was urgent. "Wha... what is it?" Emalia pulled herself from the bed, rubbing her eyes. Just hours before, Throm had left and they had spoken little before sleeping once again. She found it strange that already, something else had happened.
"Throm contacted me, he found something," Colin said with a touch of haste.
"He... when? He came back?"
Colin had already rounded the bed. With this question, he gripped her hand and pulled her completely to her feet. "No, he contracted me through the Guardians. Come, we have to go."
Emalia, still waking, found Colin's quick, almost snappish manner strange. She wasn't sick, Colin was. So why - "He left me an item to open a portal to him, in case something happened. I have already activated it, we just have to go." Colin latched his hand around Emalia's and began to pull her toward the corner. There sat a swirling grey vortex - its short, whispy tentrils snaking out, as if searching for a person to step through.
"Wait," Emalia said, fear creeping into her voice. "Just, wait..." Colin had no hesitations. Emalia leaned back, pulling against him, but still he walked to the vortex, practically dragging her behind him. "Colin! Stop this!"
"Emalia, there is no time. You could be in danger."
"I'm not in danger, I'm fine!"
This managed to have Colin stop, but the crushing grip he kept on Emalia's hand still alarmed her. He turned his grey eyes on her, looking almost stern. "No, you're not. Now let's go."
There was no room for Emalia to say anything, try as she might. "Colin, I don't like this... I don't want to go in here..."
"Don't worry, you'll understand soon enough, right now we have to go."
Colin pulled her to the front of the vortex. Just seeing the tendrils of etherial energy snaking around her arm and shoulder made Emalia tremble. The last time this happened, she was asleep. Awake, the portal was terrifying. "Colin!"
"It's just like the last time, don't worry, all will be better soon." Roughly, Colin pulled Emalia to him. "Mmmm... that's nice. Well, in we go." Emalia had no time to ponder the response, or protest. Colin stepped into the grey void, taking Emalia right along with him.
Hormonal Imbalances
Emalia sat on the edge of the bed with her tears rolling down her cheeks. Once again she had completely made a fool of herself, and while the rest of the realms knew pregnancy could make a woman crazy, no one left a memo for Emalia. All she knew is that when Throm showed up before dawn saying something was wrong with her, then not really believing her when she said she was fine - the anger she had over his interference with her parent's "happily ever after" and his doubt of her understanding of herself boiled over.
Apparently, someone from somewhere had informed Throm that Emalia had contact with Grobnak which left her infected with something like hemelia. Emalia knew this wasn't true, she could see directly into herself, she could search her very essence for anything impure, and nothing was there. But with Colin holding her hands, she could sense, like the rumble of a storm on the horizon, something was amiss.
She didn't seek out what it was, but it didn't seem to matter. While Colin believed her words, Throm seemed uncertain. It burned her up to know that he still doubted her, he still didn't believe. 'Arrogant,' she thought to herself. Then Throm was simply ready to leave without a word of what this "disease" might be, or what they could do to help Colin.
Emalia was outraged, and even more irritated that she couldn't control the torrent of feelings that shuddered through her body. Throm had come in the small hours of the morning - it was obvious by that act something was dreadfully wrong, but he was dismissive, stating all would be well. 'Like hell,' Emalia thought. He was putting her husband in danger, and possibly herself, and her baby. "You may have taken my mother, but I won't let you take Colin!"
The brief look of shock on Throm's face was replaced with a small smile that drove Emalia mad."I don't intend to take anyone Emalia...believe me."
At that instant, Emalia was ready to seek out Grobnak for herself. She wouldn't risk venturing into Colin to discover what was in there, since it could harm Brin, but she would seek out the man who did this to him. Colin tried to calm her as these thoughts raged through her.
"My timing was off...I should have waited for the morning. I came not because I feared you both would vanish overnight. I acted upon selfish impulse in the service of self pacification by knowing you two were okay," Throm said."Selfish." Emalia glared at Throm now. "Seems that way."
Listening to Colin finally, Emalia walked to the bed and sat with her head in her hand, just as she sat now. Colin and Throm had walked out, and she simply couldn't help the tears. For these moments, she was glad to have Colin. For on both sides, no one trusted her it seemed, except for him. He was her saving grace, and she tried to rid herself of the tears before he returned.
Apparently, someone from somewhere had informed Throm that Emalia had contact with Grobnak which left her infected with something like hemelia. Emalia knew this wasn't true, she could see directly into herself, she could search her very essence for anything impure, and nothing was there. But with Colin holding her hands, she could sense, like the rumble of a storm on the horizon, something was amiss.
She didn't seek out what it was, but it didn't seem to matter. While Colin believed her words, Throm seemed uncertain. It burned her up to know that he still doubted her, he still didn't believe. 'Arrogant,' she thought to herself. Then Throm was simply ready to leave without a word of what this "disease" might be, or what they could do to help Colin.
Emalia was outraged, and even more irritated that she couldn't control the torrent of feelings that shuddered through her body. Throm had come in the small hours of the morning - it was obvious by that act something was dreadfully wrong, but he was dismissive, stating all would be well. 'Like hell,' Emalia thought. He was putting her husband in danger, and possibly herself, and her baby. "You may have taken my mother, but I won't let you take Colin!"
The brief look of shock on Throm's face was replaced with a small smile that drove Emalia mad."I don't intend to take anyone Emalia...believe me."
At that instant, Emalia was ready to seek out Grobnak for herself. She wouldn't risk venturing into Colin to discover what was in there, since it could harm Brin, but she would seek out the man who did this to him. Colin tried to calm her as these thoughts raged through her.
"My timing was off...I should have waited for the morning. I came not because I feared you both would vanish overnight. I acted upon selfish impulse in the service of self pacification by knowing you two were okay," Throm said."Selfish." Emalia glared at Throm now. "Seems that way."
Listening to Colin finally, Emalia walked to the bed and sat with her head in her hand, just as she sat now. Colin and Throm had walked out, and she simply couldn't help the tears. For these moments, she was glad to have Colin. For on both sides, no one trusted her it seemed, except for him. He was her saving grace, and she tried to rid herself of the tears before he returned.
Silent Persistence
It had been a while now since the return to West Bridge. Many things had changed, but the objective remained the same.
Though he had much to attend to, and could not personally maintain the observation of the young woman, the task of keeping an eye on her was being carried out, nevertheless. And though they had apparently "disappeared" once or twice, fortunately picking-up their trail again soon after had not proven very difficult; especially given the "distinctiveness" of her companion.
Even so, Xarkuss would, on a constant basis, do his own bit of observation and reconnaissance. And on more than a few occasions was set to take-off behind the couple on their journey; though for one reason or another it would be put-off every time, and by the looks of things, was not likely to take place anytime soon.
There were too many entities involved now, and even more affected. Too many different parties, with too many different agendas...
Xarkuss knew that only sensible thing to do now, was to sit back, watch, and just wait and see. "I wonder who'll be making the next move..."
Though he had much to attend to, and could not personally maintain the observation of the young woman, the task of keeping an eye on her was being carried out, nevertheless. And though they had apparently "disappeared" once or twice, fortunately picking-up their trail again soon after had not proven very difficult; especially given the "distinctiveness" of her companion.
Even so, Xarkuss would, on a constant basis, do his own bit of observation and reconnaissance. And on more than a few occasions was set to take-off behind the couple on their journey; though for one reason or another it would be put-off every time, and by the looks of things, was not likely to take place anytime soon.
There were too many entities involved now, and even more affected. Too many different parties, with too many different agendas...
Xarkuss knew that only sensible thing to do now, was to sit back, watch, and just wait and see. "I wonder who'll be making the next move..."
No Stone Unturned (Part I-II)
He awoke with a start. Sweat clung to his chest, gleaming from him in the low lantern light like that of a madman. Throm rolled out of his bed, the cold contact of his bare feet upon the floor bringing him to full awareness. His tides of rage ebbed as did the most vivid of details of his dream, leaving a hollow chill to run it's course through his very core being. Walking slowly through the door of the bathroom which ran adjacent to his chambers, Throm breathed a soft word and dipped his hands into the cool water which now gurgled from a silver basin. Bringing the water to his face, he sighed as it ran down his cheeks as if washing away the harsh realization of the dream. "My list of enemies grows larger these days..." he muttered to himself. Throm returned to his chambers, reaching into his wardrobe to pull a loose black shirt about his torso. Stepping into a pair of equally black pants, he gazed out of the window judging the time to be late of night by the looks of the total lack of sunlight in the sky. Throm considered the possibility of notifying Sanria as he threw his cloak about his shoulders. He shook his head at once, chasing such thoughts from his head. It was early, and it would only serve to worry her further. No...he would handle this now and then inform Sanria in short order once Emalia was fine. After all, though the daughter of Sanria was no longer officially within the ranks of the Crimson Guardians, Throm had always felt it's members bound by far more than formality. As such, if Emalia or Colin were in danger he would see to it that such a danger were put to rest. Not to mention the fact that he would not watch another plague run rampant across the Realms. A brief flash of anger shot through him at the thought of Grobnak using a living being...one carrying a child no less as a vessel for his insane plots. And within that brief flash he desired no less than to unleash hell upon the Jihad Compound. To put an end to the latent threat that had plagued the Great Realms for so long. Slowly his demeanor calmed, and only then...when the red had faded from his vision, did he allow himself to think freely. No...he in fact would go to the Jihad Compound, but only to retrieve the Black Makou which Grobnak had originally used to infect Emalia. Tonight there would be no vengeance...such wasn't his style. Tonight he would be nothing more than a whisper upon a dark breeze.
The rain pattered lightly upon the ground, soothing even Throm's nerves after the traumatic message he had been given. In the near distance, he could spot the lights of the Jihad Compound. They were dim, though easily spotted among the darkness of the night. Deciding that a simple spell of concealment would not suffice, he instead took a deep breath and concentrated. Concentrated on nothing short of the removal of his being from reality itself. At once he was enveloped in a warm feeling that seemed to eject him into all directions at the same time. Opening his eyes, the world now appeared black and white. Devoid of color he knew now that he was no longer a participant, but now a spectator within the world he called home. Raising a hand in the direction of the Jihad Compound, Throm willed time itself to slow down...or was it him who would live faster? Regardless, he allowed the deep breath to escape his mouth as the rain drops suddenly began falling as if someone had suddenly cut the throttle threefold. He looked to the tip of his hand where the rain fell straight through what would have been flesh...were he a member of linear existance. In the blink of an eye, he appeared in front of the two guards who stood to either side of the entrance to the grove in which lay the headquarters of the Jihad. He had observed these guards before on routine surveillance excursions. Tonight was different though. Not just due to the fact that the insubstantial world about him had all of a sudden slowed to a crawl. The mannerisms in which the guards went about their ways were different tonight. One sat nearby the other one, seemingly locked in conversation. Thinking no more of it, Throm brushed past the two, finding himself at the downward entrance into the Compound. Flitting around a passing Jenovese, Throm soon found himself inside the large lab of the Jihad, looking upon a huge vat filled with a black substance which seemed to move of it's own accord. He reached down and filled two vials from a spout at the bottom of the vat.
"One for you...one for me. Time to find out exactly what this stuff does." he whispered to himself.
Quickly he moved towards the exit of the Compound, pausing only once near a statue of a Rok demon bearing the likeness of Grobnak. The one who had started this all.
"You raving fool....what have you done now?"
The rain pattered lightly upon the ground, soothing even Throm's nerves after the traumatic message he had been given. In the near distance, he could spot the lights of the Jihad Compound. They were dim, though easily spotted among the darkness of the night. Deciding that a simple spell of concealment would not suffice, he instead took a deep breath and concentrated. Concentrated on nothing short of the removal of his being from reality itself. At once he was enveloped in a warm feeling that seemed to eject him into all directions at the same time. Opening his eyes, the world now appeared black and white. Devoid of color he knew now that he was no longer a participant, but now a spectator within the world he called home. Raising a hand in the direction of the Jihad Compound, Throm willed time itself to slow down...or was it him who would live faster? Regardless, he allowed the deep breath to escape his mouth as the rain drops suddenly began falling as if someone had suddenly cut the throttle threefold. He looked to the tip of his hand where the rain fell straight through what would have been flesh...were he a member of linear existance. In the blink of an eye, he appeared in front of the two guards who stood to either side of the entrance to the grove in which lay the headquarters of the Jihad. He had observed these guards before on routine surveillance excursions. Tonight was different though. Not just due to the fact that the insubstantial world about him had all of a sudden slowed to a crawl. The mannerisms in which the guards went about their ways were different tonight. One sat nearby the other one, seemingly locked in conversation. Thinking no more of it, Throm brushed past the two, finding himself at the downward entrance into the Compound. Flitting around a passing Jenovese, Throm soon found himself inside the large lab of the Jihad, looking upon a huge vat filled with a black substance which seemed to move of it's own accord. He reached down and filled two vials from a spout at the bottom of the vat.
"One for you...one for me. Time to find out exactly what this stuff does." he whispered to himself.
Quickly he moved towards the exit of the Compound, pausing only once near a statue of a Rok demon bearing the likeness of Grobnak. The one who had started this all.
"You raving fool....what have you done now?"
Master of Puppets (Pulling Strings)
Seventy Seven had told him of the Cetra who had caused the Church so much grief, just as Grobnak had spoken of the Stream Woman, Emalia and her search for the Temple - and how her Faith was ailing. Halethiel found these things distasteful: The woman had abilities that posed a threat to their plans, and the Cetra had proven to be an irritant in an otherwise flawless system. He had no patience for liabilities - it was time they became assets.
The Cetra had recently arisen to prominence amidst other foes: The Guardians. The Stream Woman was with child by one of these Guardians, and surely the child would share her abilities. The zealotry of the Cetra was well-known to the Church. The time had come to turn it into a weapon in his own hands.
These were the thoughts that went through Halethiel's mind as he cast the spell that would bring the dreamer to him. The Cetra arrived on cue in his wonderland, eyes wide with curiosity and wonder at the world he now found himself in. Hovering in the air, he levitated the puppet-woman towards his target. Mystra herself had a message to deliver to this... Throm, whom had been so disruptive to his plans.
At the sight of his goddess gliding before him, Throm knelt in awe. She glowed, ethereal tendrils of power emanating from her body, her eyes glowing, as she spoke to him, "My worthy servant, Throm," she said, "I have summoned you to perform a task."
"You need only ask, Lady," Throm replied, looking up at his goddess as she floated before him. She seemed almost plain, for a goddess, but the description fit. He felt a little skeptical, but some portion of his consciousness came to the realization that this was a dream, and only a true goddess could contact him in this manner.
"There is a woman, Emalia, who has been contaminated by agents of the Lady of Poison. Soon, all of the Realms will be engulfed in virulent plague at her touch. She must be saved, Throm. She has been infected by a mad man called Grobnak. Only you can save her and stop this disease from spreading."
Throm felt anger stirring in his chest and his stomach tightening as she spoke. It made sense. He didn't know Colin very well, but he had seen the pair. He knew that she had left Grobnak's mad circle of friends, just as she had left the Guardians. He knew also that a man like Grobnak had no conscience - she would be the perfect subject for experimentation to him. Already he knew that he would do whatever he could to help. He could not let this pass - that snake was a threat to humanity, and to the planet itself.
"There is a substance called Black Makou that was used to make this disease. It must be used to cure it, as well. You must find some of this substance, Throm, and deliver it to Emalia's lover, Colin. He will not know what to do with it yet, but the time is soon coming when he will." As she spoke, the woman's form began to change, dissolving into a glowing white orb that pulsated from its center. "My faithful steward, will you do this?" the voice of the woman asked, still speaking from within the will o' wisp.
"I will," Throm replied, anger lending conviction to his words "and I will not rest until it is done."
The Cetra had recently arisen to prominence amidst other foes: The Guardians. The Stream Woman was with child by one of these Guardians, and surely the child would share her abilities. The zealotry of the Cetra was well-known to the Church. The time had come to turn it into a weapon in his own hands.
These were the thoughts that went through Halethiel's mind as he cast the spell that would bring the dreamer to him. The Cetra arrived on cue in his wonderland, eyes wide with curiosity and wonder at the world he now found himself in. Hovering in the air, he levitated the puppet-woman towards his target. Mystra herself had a message to deliver to this... Throm, whom had been so disruptive to his plans.
At the sight of his goddess gliding before him, Throm knelt in awe. She glowed, ethereal tendrils of power emanating from her body, her eyes glowing, as she spoke to him, "My worthy servant, Throm," she said, "I have summoned you to perform a task."
"You need only ask, Lady," Throm replied, looking up at his goddess as she floated before him. She seemed almost plain, for a goddess, but the description fit. He felt a little skeptical, but some portion of his consciousness came to the realization that this was a dream, and only a true goddess could contact him in this manner.
"There is a woman, Emalia, who has been contaminated by agents of the Lady of Poison. Soon, all of the Realms will be engulfed in virulent plague at her touch. She must be saved, Throm. She has been infected by a mad man called Grobnak. Only you can save her and stop this disease from spreading."
Throm felt anger stirring in his chest and his stomach tightening as she spoke. It made sense. He didn't know Colin very well, but he had seen the pair. He knew that she had left Grobnak's mad circle of friends, just as she had left the Guardians. He knew also that a man like Grobnak had no conscience - she would be the perfect subject for experimentation to him. Already he knew that he would do whatever he could to help. He could not let this pass - that snake was a threat to humanity, and to the planet itself.
"There is a substance called Black Makou that was used to make this disease. It must be used to cure it, as well. You must find some of this substance, Throm, and deliver it to Emalia's lover, Colin. He will not know what to do with it yet, but the time is soon coming when he will." As she spoke, the woman's form began to change, dissolving into a glowing white orb that pulsated from its center. "My faithful steward, will you do this?" the voice of the woman asked, still speaking from within the will o' wisp.
"I will," Throm replied, anger lending conviction to his words "and I will not rest until it is done."
Master of Puppets (Preparations)
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.
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.
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.
Wool removed
Colin and Emalia walked in silence to the stables in Westbridge. They would not return to the cottage, since Colin had the foresight to bring along all their provisions. They were to buy a couple chocobos and head to the mountains. She could barely contain her malicious laughter at Colin when he fell off of his bird. Part of her felt terrible for this, but the other half of her felt justified, as if he deserved it - this little petty unplanned revenge.
They both rode north until the base of the mountains and paused for Colin to take a drink from his canteen. The birds were still fresh, as was Emalia, but she wasn't wanting another argument, and so when he made the request, she gave in and walked to a nearby group of trees for shade.
The silence seemed to have the effect Emalia had hoped for. Colin stared at his canteen as he spoke. "What do you want to know?"
"Everything. Who you were, what you did, what you taught my uncle, why my mother thought you so dangerous..."
"I went by the name Visha. What i did... I was driven by power, control. I sought it out everywhere, to all ends. And I found there is great strength in the darker magics. Not only was the magic strong, but it inspired fear, respect, control. All things which made it even more desirable. That was how your uncle came to me. He has his own reasons for wanting power. For him he wanted to be able to protect those dear to him. He wanted me to teach him the ways of magic that others would not. And so I did."
Emalia sat there, stunned as Colin went through his story. It was one thing hearing this foreign name that Colin used to refer to himself from before, but hearing that her Uncle went to him to learn such things was quite hard for her to comprehend.
Colin continued to discuss how he had come into the body she knew. "Your uncle helped me to make this, it was his last act of working with me and was going to repay me for all I had taught him. When the process was complete I found two things, though. I was still without magic, and I was different. My lust for power and control was held in check. That was your uncle's doing. He made it so that while my spirit was contained within my new body those things were held in check."
The revelation left Emalia speechless for a moment. She had inadvertently freed a man from a prison by giving him life. "So... they're held in check... but... by what now? I... I mean... y... you are alive."
"That's the beautiful thing. It's not anymore. I have you to thank for so much Emalia. Not only have you shown me love and you have made me truly alive again but through the actions of your uncle and being with you that part of me is gone for good. It's not held in check, it's just not there."
Emalia looked over at Colin, her eyes skeptical and her mind spinning. Just not there? But he had memories of this old life, and it also brought to her mind the questions - what if something happened to her? What if something happened to Brin? What would come out of Colin if anything were to happen...
They both rode north until the base of the mountains and paused for Colin to take a drink from his canteen. The birds were still fresh, as was Emalia, but she wasn't wanting another argument, and so when he made the request, she gave in and walked to a nearby group of trees for shade.
The silence seemed to have the effect Emalia had hoped for. Colin stared at his canteen as he spoke. "What do you want to know?"
"Everything. Who you were, what you did, what you taught my uncle, why my mother thought you so dangerous..."
"I went by the name Visha. What i did... I was driven by power, control. I sought it out everywhere, to all ends. And I found there is great strength in the darker magics. Not only was the magic strong, but it inspired fear, respect, control. All things which made it even more desirable. That was how your uncle came to me. He has his own reasons for wanting power. For him he wanted to be able to protect those dear to him. He wanted me to teach him the ways of magic that others would not. And so I did."
Emalia sat there, stunned as Colin went through his story. It was one thing hearing this foreign name that Colin used to refer to himself from before, but hearing that her Uncle went to him to learn such things was quite hard for her to comprehend.
Colin continued to discuss how he had come into the body she knew. "Your uncle helped me to make this, it was his last act of working with me and was going to repay me for all I had taught him. When the process was complete I found two things, though. I was still without magic, and I was different. My lust for power and control was held in check. That was your uncle's doing. He made it so that while my spirit was contained within my new body those things were held in check."
The revelation left Emalia speechless for a moment. She had inadvertently freed a man from a prison by giving him life. "So... they're held in check... but... by what now? I... I mean... y... you are alive."
"That's the beautiful thing. It's not anymore. I have you to thank for so much Emalia. Not only have you shown me love and you have made me truly alive again but through the actions of your uncle and being with you that part of me is gone for good. It's not held in check, it's just not there."
Emalia looked over at Colin, her eyes skeptical and her mind spinning. Just not there? But he had memories of this old life, and it also brought to her mind the questions - what if something happened to her? What if something happened to Brin? What would come out of Colin if anything were to happen...
Airship Of the Past
Emalia followed Colin closely through the stunted forest, taking note again at just how lifeless everything seemed. The whole place again reminded her of absolute death, but even in death, there was a sense of motion through the act of decay. This was nothing more than the stillness spawned of sick stagnation.
At the top of a small rise, Colin pulled back a few bushes to expose a darkness beyond that Emalia wouldn't have imagined could exist. It was the rift itself and before she could go further, Colin turned to her with a grave face. "This can be very dangerous."
"I don't know that it can be any less dangerous than everything else we've done," Emalia answered, determined not to be treated like a child.
"This demiplane contains many locations and you can easily find yourself in any one of them. I know exactly where we need to go, however, you do not." Colin reached into his pack, pulling forth a long strip of cotton.
"You must wear a blindfold."
"What?"
"Emalia it is the only way to make sure you stay with me and do not accidentally end up somewhere else. Please, you have to trust me."
'Unbelievable,' Emalia thought. 'He must think I'm just a stupid fool.'
"I'll be fine, Colin. Besides, blinding me doesn't lend itself to my not getting lost, you know. I'll just hold your hand, that way I can see you at least if something goes wrong... which I doubt."
"No, you don't understand. The way this works, just by thinking about a place you see too hard can make you end up there," Colin said, shaking his head emphatically.
Emalia had nothing more to say, nothing else to argue. As Colin made it clear, she could abide by his desires, or they could stay. While he spoke it not as a threat, Emalia felt it was one in the same. Clutched against his chest, his hand over her ear to prevent her from even hearing, Emalia felt the squeezing of the rift upon her, once as they entered, once as they exited.
Colin lifted her blindfold and Emalia found herself in the black cockpit of an airship. A throne made of bone gleamed against the darkness, the very walls were so smooth, yet so black - almost as if they were made of the rift itself - solidified. "Who's ship is this?" Emalia asked almost in a trance.
"It is one that I purchased long ago. Emalia, don't we have somewhere to go? There's no need to stay around here."
Still, Emalia walked along the walls, touching the darkness and being amazed that she wasn't absorbed right into it. "Emalia, please, let's go," Colin pleaded.
Before she could go any farther, Colin gripped her arm and spun her to face him. "Emalia, come on, let's go. There's nothing of use here. It's old and best forgotten."
"Is this part of your past?"
"Please. Let's just let it stay that way. We have a journey to take, right?"
Emalia jerked her arm from Colin, irritated and insulted at his insistance that she let things drop. This man wanted her to marry him, to devote her life to him, and he wouldn't open up fully as to who he was? "What is it that you want so badly to hide from me? Don't I have a right to know you?"
Still, Colin refused her, and Emalia shook her head in consternation. She did the only thing she could think to do - allow him to keep his secrets and allow herself to steer clear of anything to do with being the love in his life.
At the top of a small rise, Colin pulled back a few bushes to expose a darkness beyond that Emalia wouldn't have imagined could exist. It was the rift itself and before she could go further, Colin turned to her with a grave face. "This can be very dangerous."
"I don't know that it can be any less dangerous than everything else we've done," Emalia answered, determined not to be treated like a child.
"This demiplane contains many locations and you can easily find yourself in any one of them. I know exactly where we need to go, however, you do not." Colin reached into his pack, pulling forth a long strip of cotton.
"You must wear a blindfold."
"What?"
"Emalia it is the only way to make sure you stay with me and do not accidentally end up somewhere else. Please, you have to trust me."
'Unbelievable,' Emalia thought. 'He must think I'm just a stupid fool.'
"I'll be fine, Colin. Besides, blinding me doesn't lend itself to my not getting lost, you know. I'll just hold your hand, that way I can see you at least if something goes wrong... which I doubt."
"No, you don't understand. The way this works, just by thinking about a place you see too hard can make you end up there," Colin said, shaking his head emphatically.
Emalia had nothing more to say, nothing else to argue. As Colin made it clear, she could abide by his desires, or they could stay. While he spoke it not as a threat, Emalia felt it was one in the same. Clutched against his chest, his hand over her ear to prevent her from even hearing, Emalia felt the squeezing of the rift upon her, once as they entered, once as they exited.
Colin lifted her blindfold and Emalia found herself in the black cockpit of an airship. A throne made of bone gleamed against the darkness, the very walls were so smooth, yet so black - almost as if they were made of the rift itself - solidified. "Who's ship is this?" Emalia asked almost in a trance.
"It is one that I purchased long ago. Emalia, don't we have somewhere to go? There's no need to stay around here."
Still, Emalia walked along the walls, touching the darkness and being amazed that she wasn't absorbed right into it. "Emalia, please, let's go," Colin pleaded.
Before she could go any farther, Colin gripped her arm and spun her to face him. "Emalia, come on, let's go. There's nothing of use here. It's old and best forgotten."
"Is this part of your past?"
"Please. Let's just let it stay that way. We have a journey to take, right?"
Emalia jerked her arm from Colin, irritated and insulted at his insistance that she let things drop. This man wanted her to marry him, to devote her life to him, and he wouldn't open up fully as to who he was? "What is it that you want so badly to hide from me? Don't I have a right to know you?"
Still, Colin refused her, and Emalia shook her head in consternation. She did the only thing she could think to do - allow him to keep his secrets and allow herself to steer clear of anything to do with being the love in his life.
Trapped in A Rift
Emalia again stared up at the ceiling of the cabin in the woods. She had spent the night in the demiplane, having given in to Colin's cajoling and eventual romancing. She looked over at the large man sleeping beside her with a sigh. Why he wanted to prevent her from doing what needed to be done, she didn't know. Had she known where the opening to the rift was, she would have already set off the day prior. Quietly, she rose from the bed and ambled to the window to look back out over the dreary plane. She took a few moments to read over the tablet given her by Jessiah, and she walked it over to the table setting it down once she had finished. She returned to her position at the window, now thinking slowly over her role in all of this. Her resolve wavered but she continued to stare out the window in quiet contemplation. These were the times she came closest to being like her father, turning details over in her mind, examining them in an attempt to make sense of them. Then she drifted back to being like her mother, rash and ready to ignore the signs in favor of the hope she'd win the gamble.
Eventually, Emalia felt the hands of Colin on her shoulders as she was turned around to face him. All he wanted was for her to stay there. If they were to stay, no one would bother them, and no one would bother Brin once she was born. Truthfully, after reading the tablet, the idea sounded appealing. In her mind, she pictured those with Hemelia running through the streets, ripping people limb from limb, and couldn't fathom bringing that about. But would she? Wasn't the disease a gift from The Apprentice? Besides, Grobnak had never done anything like that... it had to have been something different. Something had to have driven those with the blessing to madness. As she and Colin looked it over, though, his concern wasn't so much the balance as it was "so much innocent blood" that had been shed.
"What if you're wrong," Colin asked quietly. "It is a difficult situation. If this is correct, the stakes can be quite high."Emalia looked out the window, almost offended by Colin's question. "I won't be wrong."
"There is no way to tell, is there."
"No... but is there ever a way to tell anything? Nothing is ever certain, is it?"
"I don't know. Some things are."
"Like?" Emalia turned to look at Colin over her shoulder, having found her way to the front window now.
"How I feel about you is."
There would be no more delays. Though Colin tried again to find a way to keep Emalia in the demiplane, she could no longer stay. The journey had to continue. 'Balance,' she reminded herself, 'Balance is at stake. Balance must be restored.'
Eventually, Emalia felt the hands of Colin on her shoulders as she was turned around to face him. All he wanted was for her to stay there. If they were to stay, no one would bother them, and no one would bother Brin once she was born. Truthfully, after reading the tablet, the idea sounded appealing. In her mind, she pictured those with Hemelia running through the streets, ripping people limb from limb, and couldn't fathom bringing that about. But would she? Wasn't the disease a gift from The Apprentice? Besides, Grobnak had never done anything like that... it had to have been something different. Something had to have driven those with the blessing to madness. As she and Colin looked it over, though, his concern wasn't so much the balance as it was "so much innocent blood" that had been shed.
"What if you're wrong," Colin asked quietly. "It is a difficult situation. If this is correct, the stakes can be quite high."Emalia looked out the window, almost offended by Colin's question. "I won't be wrong."
"There is no way to tell, is there."
"No... but is there ever a way to tell anything? Nothing is ever certain, is it?"
"I don't know. Some things are."
"Like?" Emalia turned to look at Colin over her shoulder, having found her way to the front window now.
"How I feel about you is."
There would be no more delays. Though Colin tried again to find a way to keep Emalia in the demiplane, she could no longer stay. The journey had to continue. 'Balance,' she reminded herself, 'Balance is at stake. Balance must be restored.'
Alternate Realism
The light was blinding when Emalia opened her eyes, and that said a lot considering the place she and Colin were. The walls were of a paneled wood that practically begged to sag to the floor in order to relieve itself of its obligation to the aesthetics long gone. It took a bit of effort for her to sit up in the bed, but oddly enough Emalia felt completely rested. "Where are we?" she asked. Colin in that span of time had rushed the distance from the small table to the bedside.
"I know Nephesh said you would be fully recovered but I was so worried. I brought you here. I wanted to make sure you weren't disturbed."
Emalia looked around the room slowly, taking in the rogue beams that stood sentinel behind the sagging panels. They seemed to be angrily standing apart from their weak counterparts, ready to be there for eternity. "Is this your house?" Emalia asked.
"Well, no, it's not exactly. It's a place I knew a long time ago." Colin hesitated only a moment before continuing. "It's an alternate plane.. well, I suppose a demiplane to be exact. The important thing is there's only one way in and nobody but I knows where that is."
Emalia didn't know exactly what to think of the news, and she slid from the bed - the muscles in her legs stiff from her sleep. "Oh, are you hungry, you must be starving. You haven't eaten in nine days."
"No... I..." (Nine days? How could that have...) Emalia looked down to her hand. Still nestled within her fingers was a small rose- colored obelisk.
"I'm fine."
"You can thank Nephesh for that," Colin said.
"It appears to be something he would do." Emalia fastened the obelisk around her neck and looked out the window. The entire scene outside was static. Stunted trees, cloud-covered skies - it was depressing and forboding and devoid of the small things that made life pleasant. Everything seemed to be drained of life somehow, or severely lacking it. "Well, we should be going I suppose."
"Are you sure you want to rush off? After all, you just got out of bed for the first time in over a week."
"Well, outside of being a little stiff - which walking will cure - I'm fine. Nephesh did a wonderful job, even if he didn't ask me if I wanted such a thing."
"I just don't know if it's a good idea."
Emalia turned to look at Colin, her head tilted and her lips pulled into a frown. "Colin, you know what we have to do... I'm not sure why you want to stay.. I mean, I'm fine and-"
"I guess it's just that after everything that happened earlier. And now I finally feel like I got you someplace safe... I'm just reluctant to give that up."
Emalia gave in for a moment, allowing Colin to walk her through the completely silent woods to a lake that looked forgotten by time and nature. The whole area was eerie to her, as though a calm before a storm that would never come. All she could think of was leaving and starting on their trip, but it seemed no matter what she said, Colin stalled. They turned to go back to the cabin after only a short amount of time.
"Emalia... are you sure you want to go back right away?"
"I have a mission to fulfill, Colin."
"I just can't help but feel that the moment we leave there are going to be those trying to step in once again and interfere."
"Well, you are right. They are going to, and constantly too. We're doing something to change the fate of the world, if they can alter it or aid in it, they will."
"I admire you Emalia. You are so brave and convicted in the face of this adversity. If anyone will be able to make a difference in anything I think it is you."
Emalia shuffled on with a shrug. "It's just what has to be done. Balance is what I seek."
"I know Nephesh said you would be fully recovered but I was so worried. I brought you here. I wanted to make sure you weren't disturbed."
Emalia looked around the room slowly, taking in the rogue beams that stood sentinel behind the sagging panels. They seemed to be angrily standing apart from their weak counterparts, ready to be there for eternity. "Is this your house?" Emalia asked.
"Well, no, it's not exactly. It's a place I knew a long time ago." Colin hesitated only a moment before continuing. "It's an alternate plane.. well, I suppose a demiplane to be exact. The important thing is there's only one way in and nobody but I knows where that is."
Emalia didn't know exactly what to think of the news, and she slid from the bed - the muscles in her legs stiff from her sleep. "Oh, are you hungry, you must be starving. You haven't eaten in nine days."
"No... I..." (Nine days? How could that have...) Emalia looked down to her hand. Still nestled within her fingers was a small rose- colored obelisk.
"I'm fine."
"You can thank Nephesh for that," Colin said.
"It appears to be something he would do." Emalia fastened the obelisk around her neck and looked out the window. The entire scene outside was static. Stunted trees, cloud-covered skies - it was depressing and forboding and devoid of the small things that made life pleasant. Everything seemed to be drained of life somehow, or severely lacking it. "Well, we should be going I suppose."
"Are you sure you want to rush off? After all, you just got out of bed for the first time in over a week."
"Well, outside of being a little stiff - which walking will cure - I'm fine. Nephesh did a wonderful job, even if he didn't ask me if I wanted such a thing."
"I just don't know if it's a good idea."
Emalia turned to look at Colin, her head tilted and her lips pulled into a frown. "Colin, you know what we have to do... I'm not sure why you want to stay.. I mean, I'm fine and-"
"I guess it's just that after everything that happened earlier. And now I finally feel like I got you someplace safe... I'm just reluctant to give that up."
Emalia gave in for a moment, allowing Colin to walk her through the completely silent woods to a lake that looked forgotten by time and nature. The whole area was eerie to her, as though a calm before a storm that would never come. All she could think of was leaving and starting on their trip, but it seemed no matter what she said, Colin stalled. They turned to go back to the cabin after only a short amount of time.
"Emalia... are you sure you want to go back right away?"
"I have a mission to fulfill, Colin."
"I just can't help but feel that the moment we leave there are going to be those trying to step in once again and interfere."
"Well, you are right. They are going to, and constantly too. We're doing something to change the fate of the world, if they can alter it or aid in it, they will."
"I admire you Emalia. You are so brave and convicted in the face of this adversity. If anyone will be able to make a difference in anything I think it is you."
Emalia shuffled on with a shrug. "It's just what has to be done. Balance is what I seek."
Blessed Sleep
"Don't worry, I will get rid of them," Colin said with a growl. Emalia was left there upon the bed, staring up at the ceiling. She could hear the sound of a very angry small voice coming from outside of the cottage, but could not clearly make out anything. The worry tugged at her stomach but she was resigned to lay back and wait for Colin to return. It was the sound of small, but determined, footsteps that had her roll her eyes to the door, waiting to see who would enter.
Nephesh came toward the bed, his little face red obviously angry. He held out a note which Emalia had no opportunity to read before Colin spun the little halfling around by the shoulder. "Now listen here. Emalia has been through enough and you will NOT upset her again."
"What did the note say?" Emalia asked, attempting to reach the fallen note before realizing she couldn't. The small boy pushed the note toward her, and as Nephesh and Colin discussed what had happened (which was very one-sided from Emalia's ears, since Nephesh had appeared to have lost his ability for speech), she looked at the handwriting: 'What have you done to father?'
Emalia let her hand with the note drop onto the bed. She felt completely drained, and the daunting task of having to explain anything more plunged her into a deeper area of her soul. As she lay there, Colin had literally lifted Nephesh out of the room, but upon his return, Emalia once again reached into her own soul for the sake of another. She sent Colin off to speak to Nephesh and to offer him the pony. All of this was beginning to hurt each time, and she was having difficulty recovering from every encounter. Soon, the voice of Colin grew faint, the surroundings of the room began to vanish into a haze, and Emalia finally drifted off to sleep - hearing, seeing, and saying nothing more.
Nephesh came toward the bed, his little face red obviously angry. He held out a note which Emalia had no opportunity to read before Colin spun the little halfling around by the shoulder. "Now listen here. Emalia has been through enough and you will NOT upset her again."
"What did the note say?" Emalia asked, attempting to reach the fallen note before realizing she couldn't. The small boy pushed the note toward her, and as Nephesh and Colin discussed what had happened (which was very one-sided from Emalia's ears, since Nephesh had appeared to have lost his ability for speech), she looked at the handwriting: 'What have you done to father?'
Emalia let her hand with the note drop onto the bed. She felt completely drained, and the daunting task of having to explain anything more plunged her into a deeper area of her soul. As she lay there, Colin had literally lifted Nephesh out of the room, but upon his return, Emalia once again reached into her own soul for the sake of another. She sent Colin off to speak to Nephesh and to offer him the pony. All of this was beginning to hurt each time, and she was having difficulty recovering from every encounter. Soon, the voice of Colin grew faint, the surroundings of the room began to vanish into a haze, and Emalia finally drifted off to sleep - hearing, seeing, and saying nothing more.
Whining and Pining
Emalia slept only long enough to restore the most minimal of her energy. The very first thing she saw upon waking, was Colin. He laid by her side, his arm around her, staring down upon her with what she assumed was a mix of pity and worry. She couldn't really speak, and anytime she did her voice was simply quiet and subdued. She couldn't really move either. The whole scene was oddly reminiscent of the first time she and Colin were ever together, though this thought was far from her mind.
"I wish I could make them all just leave you alone," Colin said as he rubbed her arm.
"Me too," Emalia entoned quietly. "I don't think they will, though."
They continued talking, Emalia taking the time to explain to Colin just what she had felt when she "healed" Grobnak. She took time also to assure him that Brin was fine. So irritated at being weak, Emalia tried to rise but found herself unable to. "Emalia, please, just rest for now. Is there something you want?" Colin asked.
"I suppose not. I just hate being so weakened. I wish my father were about. He could perhaps heal me and all would be better."
"Do you know where he is?"
"Chasing my mother," Emalia muttered.
"Oh?"
"You weren't aware?" Emalia turned to look upon Colin.
"No. Should I have been?"
"Well, I thought I told you about it, but perhaps I hadn't. He went north shortly after the Vectorian invasion to help my mother," Emalia sighed in frustration. "He wouldn't even stay for me. And I asked him to."
"I see. I'm sorry. I suppose we aren't the only ones with a journey to make."
Emalia realized at that point just how many people Colin had not been introduced to. So many people in her family didn't know she was with him, or pregnant by him, and the realization made her feel guilty in an odd way. Colin, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind at all. His only thought was wishing no one was around, and that they could simply be left alone. No sooner had he made his thoughts known than a knock sounded upon the door.
"I wish I could make them all just leave you alone," Colin said as he rubbed her arm.
"Me too," Emalia entoned quietly. "I don't think they will, though."
They continued talking, Emalia taking the time to explain to Colin just what she had felt when she "healed" Grobnak. She took time also to assure him that Brin was fine. So irritated at being weak, Emalia tried to rise but found herself unable to. "Emalia, please, just rest for now. Is there something you want?" Colin asked.
"I suppose not. I just hate being so weakened. I wish my father were about. He could perhaps heal me and all would be better."
"Do you know where he is?"
"Chasing my mother," Emalia muttered.
"Oh?"
"You weren't aware?" Emalia turned to look upon Colin.
"No. Should I have been?"
"Well, I thought I told you about it, but perhaps I hadn't. He went north shortly after the Vectorian invasion to help my mother," Emalia sighed in frustration. "He wouldn't even stay for me. And I asked him to."
"I see. I'm sorry. I suppose we aren't the only ones with a journey to make."
Emalia realized at that point just how many people Colin had not been introduced to. So many people in her family didn't know she was with him, or pregnant by him, and the realization made her feel guilty in an odd way. Colin, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind at all. His only thought was wishing no one was around, and that they could simply be left alone. No sooner had he made his thoughts known than a knock sounded upon the door.
Dreams of Renewal (1-2)
His blood ran thick down his arm, his head swimming in anger and sadness at the assault Emalia had made on his honor. He did not lie - he told painful truths... and sometimes, just sometimes, he kept things from people in order to protect them.
He had cut his arm once for each truth he'd wished he'd not had to tell her. Once for each time, and as deeply for each truth as he felt that it had wounded Emalia. He knew that, in time, he would heal - just as Emalia would. He only hoped that it would not take too long - no one has forever.
Then it happened. She lunged forward, reaching for his arm, and latched her hand onto his flesh. The full force of the planet seemed to slam into him, then. Electrical current, the very life-stuff of the world, charged through his body like a flight of dragons. Through the haze of pain, his senses shifted, and he could see the Child, emanating a radiant white light of cascading hues, clutching his arm. Then everything went black.
The world began swimming around him. The darkness gradually faded into light, and light gradually faded into form. His Lord stood before him: The man who had pulled him from the Wall of the False and the Faithless, so long ago. The Apprentice.
Immediately, Grobnak fell to his knees, silence and fear and worship filling every fiber of his being as he gazed upon the hem of his Lord's robe. He dared not speak: he was not worthy. How was this even possible? Was he dead once more? Had Emalia killed him?
The Apprentice held a hand over Grobnak's head, indicating that he should rise. His Lord was much taller than him - rising nearly a full two feet above him. Grobnak surveyed his surroundings and knew that he was no longer in Faerun. The sky above was a scintillating bluish purple, the trees were a whitish yellow with softly blue leaves, and each step made a noise as the red moss that grew upon the ground absorbed his weight. He could see the waves in the wind, and he was certain that he was bearing witness to The Rebirth.
"When will my sleep end?" The Apprentice asked, the deep pits of his eyes looking to Grobnak questioningly, as he placed his hand on the daemon's shoulder and walked past him. Grobnak rose to his feet as his master began walking away - the sounds of the red moss tracing his steps - looking on without an answer. In a blur of color and dream, the moment faded and another one emerged in its stead...
It was later. Night had fallen and Grobnak found himself sitting on an ornate bench made from a stone he had never seen, a bowl of hot liquid in his hands. Surveying his surroundings, he watched as white flames licked the bottom of a kettle at the center of the building he was in. Again, he was reminded of the wonders that Rebirth would offer. The Apprentice was sitting calmly beside a small stack of tree bark, performing an activity that appeared to be curing the material, as if it were animal skin, only now The Apprentice wasn't the same. It was Halethiel - the founder of all Faithful - he was speaking to, and it was The Apprentice, both at once in his foggy mind.
"It is her destiny, Lord Usurper," he whispered, his voice barely recognizable even to himself, as he told the tale of how Emalia had killed him, her pregnancy, and her quest to find the Temple of Light. What did it matter, he told himself, if he was dead any way? Halethiel had been dead for many hundreds of years - at least this time, he told himself, he was not rotting on the Wall of the False and the Faithless. Then, in another blur of color and dream, the moment faded once again, yet another moment in time emerging to replace this one...
He saw an image of a child, playing with his Lord, happily. There was something both dark and light about the girl as she giggled, The Apprentice tossing her about in his arms - a grim smile on his disease-ravaged face. Grobnak could see Halethiel's wrists as he laid on the hill, the red moss about the ground whispering to him in a thousand voices of comfort and renewal as it enclosed him in a warm embrace, and he began to feel contentment for what felt like the first time in his life.
Then he awakened, gasping for breath, greeted by others of the Faithful around him, and the full assault of reality began its assault once again on his tired mind. They needed the Swords still, and to find the Temple. For the sake of the Great Realms, he only hoped they would not be too late.
He had cut his arm once for each truth he'd wished he'd not had to tell her. Once for each time, and as deeply for each truth as he felt that it had wounded Emalia. He knew that, in time, he would heal - just as Emalia would. He only hoped that it would not take too long - no one has forever.
Then it happened. She lunged forward, reaching for his arm, and latched her hand onto his flesh. The full force of the planet seemed to slam into him, then. Electrical current, the very life-stuff of the world, charged through his body like a flight of dragons. Through the haze of pain, his senses shifted, and he could see the Child, emanating a radiant white light of cascading hues, clutching his arm. Then everything went black.
The world began swimming around him. The darkness gradually faded into light, and light gradually faded into form. His Lord stood before him: The man who had pulled him from the Wall of the False and the Faithless, so long ago. The Apprentice.
Immediately, Grobnak fell to his knees, silence and fear and worship filling every fiber of his being as he gazed upon the hem of his Lord's robe. He dared not speak: he was not worthy. How was this even possible? Was he dead once more? Had Emalia killed him?
The Apprentice held a hand over Grobnak's head, indicating that he should rise. His Lord was much taller than him - rising nearly a full two feet above him. Grobnak surveyed his surroundings and knew that he was no longer in Faerun. The sky above was a scintillating bluish purple, the trees were a whitish yellow with softly blue leaves, and each step made a noise as the red moss that grew upon the ground absorbed his weight. He could see the waves in the wind, and he was certain that he was bearing witness to The Rebirth.
"When will my sleep end?" The Apprentice asked, the deep pits of his eyes looking to Grobnak questioningly, as he placed his hand on the daemon's shoulder and walked past him. Grobnak rose to his feet as his master began walking away - the sounds of the red moss tracing his steps - looking on without an answer. In a blur of color and dream, the moment faded and another one emerged in its stead...
It was later. Night had fallen and Grobnak found himself sitting on an ornate bench made from a stone he had never seen, a bowl of hot liquid in his hands. Surveying his surroundings, he watched as white flames licked the bottom of a kettle at the center of the building he was in. Again, he was reminded of the wonders that Rebirth would offer. The Apprentice was sitting calmly beside a small stack of tree bark, performing an activity that appeared to be curing the material, as if it were animal skin, only now The Apprentice wasn't the same. It was Halethiel - the founder of all Faithful - he was speaking to, and it was The Apprentice, both at once in his foggy mind.
"It is her destiny, Lord Usurper," he whispered, his voice barely recognizable even to himself, as he told the tale of how Emalia had killed him, her pregnancy, and her quest to find the Temple of Light. What did it matter, he told himself, if he was dead any way? Halethiel had been dead for many hundreds of years - at least this time, he told himself, he was not rotting on the Wall of the False and the Faithless. Then, in another blur of color and dream, the moment faded once again, yet another moment in time emerging to replace this one...
He saw an image of a child, playing with his Lord, happily. There was something both dark and light about the girl as she giggled, The Apprentice tossing her about in his arms - a grim smile on his disease-ravaged face. Grobnak could see Halethiel's wrists as he laid on the hill, the red moss about the ground whispering to him in a thousand voices of comfort and renewal as it enclosed him in a warm embrace, and he began to feel contentment for what felt like the first time in his life.
Then he awakened, gasping for breath, greeted by others of the Faithful around him, and the full assault of reality began its assault once again on his tired mind. They needed the Swords still, and to find the Temple. For the sake of the Great Realms, he only hoped they would not be too late.
Into The Rift (2 of 2)
Colin's breath escaped him in a little sigh tinged with pleasure. How long it had been since he had felt that gentle squeeze all over his body as he passed into the rift. An almost sexual penetration.
He could feel Emalia still in his arms, yet now they were suspended, motionless, in the void of almost total darkness which was the axis of this place. The familiar buzzing assaulted his ears and he knew if he concentrated on it he would be able to make out the myriad of unnatural sounds of which it was composed yet he willed himself not to. He did, however, find himself gazing at the scenes of various locations which shifted into view around him. Almost every one of them contained acts of violence, torture, or depravety yet for a ong moment Colin found himself unable to look away, a half smile finding it's way onto his lips. There he stayed until a scene of a human mother screaming as she cut a demonic baby from her own womb faded into view, shaking Colin from his stupor.
Emalia. Brin. He knew where he needed to go. He closed his eyes, reaching out with his mind for that spot of familiarity which he quickly found. By simply willing himself toward it he felt the squeeze once more as he stepped onto rocky soil. Colin pushed his way through some thick brush which grew around the rift they has just exited and took in the forest about him. The sun peeked dimly through the cloudy sky overhead to shine on the stunted trees and scrubby bushes below. It wasn't a scene of beauty but it was about as close as it was going to get in this place.
He looked around for a moment, noting how little the vegetation grew here. It made it easy for him to get his bearings. If his memory was correct the cabin where they would be staying was only about 100 yards east of here. Colin leaned down to kiss Emalia's forehead and held her a bit closer to him. "Don't worry, we're almost there."
He could feel Emalia still in his arms, yet now they were suspended, motionless, in the void of almost total darkness which was the axis of this place. The familiar buzzing assaulted his ears and he knew if he concentrated on it he would be able to make out the myriad of unnatural sounds of which it was composed yet he willed himself not to. He did, however, find himself gazing at the scenes of various locations which shifted into view around him. Almost every one of them contained acts of violence, torture, or depravety yet for a ong moment Colin found himself unable to look away, a half smile finding it's way onto his lips. There he stayed until a scene of a human mother screaming as she cut a demonic baby from her own womb faded into view, shaking Colin from his stupor.
Emalia. Brin. He knew where he needed to go. He closed his eyes, reaching out with his mind for that spot of familiarity which he quickly found. By simply willing himself toward it he felt the squeeze once more as he stepped onto rocky soil. Colin pushed his way through some thick brush which grew around the rift they has just exited and took in the forest about him. The sun peeked dimly through the cloudy sky overhead to shine on the stunted trees and scrubby bushes below. It wasn't a scene of beauty but it was about as close as it was going to get in this place.
He looked around for a moment, noting how little the vegetation grew here. It made it easy for him to get his bearings. If his memory was correct the cabin where they would be staying was only about 100 yards east of here. Colin leaned down to kiss Emalia's forehead and held her a bit closer to him. "Don't worry, we're almost there."
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