Sanria knew Gilean wasn't happy about the meeting, but she assured him that there was nothing to fear, that Orn and Leandra would be there to keep anything from happening between her and Colin. The meeting itself went horribly, which Sanria had anticipated. Though Orn kept his calm for the most part, Leandra had broken down into near hysterics over the life Sanria had chosen. Sanria looked at Orn's face, noting the pain he felt, she looked at Colin's face as he tried to patiently reason with Leandra, and she listened to her daughter as she sobbed out all the reasons why this wasn't real because until she came home, they weren't really a family at all.
"I can't accept your new family, Mom. I'm... sorry." Leandra got up and Sanria felt desperation settle into her chest.
"Please... don't go away angry. Please, try to understand."
"I've tried for a long time... and I just can't."
Leandra left them and Colin reached across the table to hold her hand. It startled her, feeling the large, warm hand enfold her own and she felt comfort, which gave way to panic as Orn, too, left through his portal. Suddenly, Sanria found herself alone, across the table from Colin who had not let go of her hand.
Sanria had every intention of leaving and every motivation to do so. She crossed the table to hug Colin goodbye and the large arms stayed wrapped around her, tracing her back. The entire time he'd forgotten her, all she wanted was for him to remember so they could get their lives back. She wanted this feeling, to have Colin back the way he was long ago- after Visha, before the rift- the Colin she'd fallen in love with. They'd all told her it was no use, and she'd run from man to man hoping to find it. She'd stayed with Gilean because he gave her comfort... and then it was all turned on its head.
Had she not been with Gilean, Velentham wouldn't have allowed Colin to remember anything anyway. In a way, things had to be the way they were for this to even be happening. For as little as she felt standing with Thasmudyan, standing with Colin had her every hair standing on end. It didn't let up, and she felt herself swept off her feet, carried up to a bedroom that she knew intimately. Everything else was forgotten for a very long stretch of time. Then... she had to go home.
Showing posts with label Visha. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Visha. Show all posts
Current Character Description - Visha
You're not completely sure if you actually see anything here.
.
What you think you see appears to be something akin to dark smoke, but oddly coherent. As you look closer you think you see two dark red points within the form and you can't help but feel that they are a pair of EYES looking at YOU.
.
You shiver slightly, feeling as if a cold breeze has just picked up. When you look again, what you thought you saw seems to dissipa t e into nothing and you are left wondering if anything was actually there at all.
.
What you think you see appears to be something akin to dark smoke, but oddly coherent. As you look closer you think you see two dark red points within the form and you can't help but feel that they are a pair of EYES looking at YOU.
.
You shiver slightly, feeling as if a cold breeze has just picked up. When you look again, what you thought you saw seems to dissipa t e into nothing and you are left wondering if anything was actually there at all.
Lupa Alba Kaliadris
Sanria hadn't left Colin's side. Not for lack of wanting to, but because he was increasingly concerned about her health and welfare if the "man" were to find her. She told him that she was getting to know Gilean, thinking that he would not truly care, thinking that with the black makou gone and no memory of their life together, he would let go. She was wrong, and it only seemed to make matters worse.
She set out after settling and easing Colin's fears, letting her hands graze the trunks of trees, asking and hunting for a large white wolf. Kaliadra had helped her long ago when her mind was frayed, now she hoped that she could find the lythari and that her mind wasn't too far gone into the canis world.
Sanria used the very blood that the two shared to seek, and in combination with the trees, felt a flicker that lead her in the direction of the Forests of Mahn'Tor. It had been a very long time since she'd been within the woods here, stretching back to when Visha claimed her brother and a cave. The memory came back with overwhelming clarity and Sanria took a moment to sit on a boulder. She hadn't thought about her brother Sandorin in a long while, and she felt her chest tighten. 'Why seek me?'
Sanria lifted her head and looked into the bright blue eyes of the wolf she had sought. "Kaliadra..."
'Leave.'
'Please,' Sanria telepathed. 'Listen for a moment. We need your help.'
'Can't help. Leave.'
'Colin is very ill in his mind, and you helped me, can you please help him?'
A shimmer of recognition seemed to drift past the blue eyes and a flicker of intelligence once again seemed to light. 'Colin... ill?'
'Yes. Very. Like I was. We need you to make it better, so he's not afraid.'
Sanria held her breath as Kaliadra lowered her white head, drawing back her ears. The growl that came from Kaliadra's throat was loud, and caused the air around her to quiver. Kaliadra finally looked up at Sanria. 'You love him now?'
'I... love him, but so much has happened, if you'll only help, you'll see.'
'You make pain. I feel when you make it. You hurt.'
'I'm sorry. I wish I didn't, truly, I do.'
'Gilean?' Kaliadra questioned after a few moments and Sanria nodded her head. Kaliadra's long huff of air was the only reply before she stood up and began walking back through the woods in the direction Sanria had come.
She set out after settling and easing Colin's fears, letting her hands graze the trunks of trees, asking and hunting for a large white wolf. Kaliadra had helped her long ago when her mind was frayed, now she hoped that she could find the lythari and that her mind wasn't too far gone into the canis world.
Sanria used the very blood that the two shared to seek, and in combination with the trees, felt a flicker that lead her in the direction of the Forests of Mahn'Tor. It had been a very long time since she'd been within the woods here, stretching back to when Visha claimed her brother and a cave. The memory came back with overwhelming clarity and Sanria took a moment to sit on a boulder. She hadn't thought about her brother Sandorin in a long while, and she felt her chest tighten. 'Why seek me?'
Sanria lifted her head and looked into the bright blue eyes of the wolf she had sought. "Kaliadra..."
'Leave.'
'Please,' Sanria telepathed. 'Listen for a moment. We need your help.'
'Can't help. Leave.'
'Colin is very ill in his mind, and you helped me, can you please help him?'
A shimmer of recognition seemed to drift past the blue eyes and a flicker of intelligence once again seemed to light. 'Colin... ill?'
'Yes. Very. Like I was. We need you to make it better, so he's not afraid.'
Sanria held her breath as Kaliadra lowered her white head, drawing back her ears. The growl that came from Kaliadra's throat was loud, and caused the air around her to quiver. Kaliadra finally looked up at Sanria. 'You love him now?'
'I... love him, but so much has happened, if you'll only help, you'll see.'
'You make pain. I feel when you make it. You hurt.'
'I'm sorry. I wish I didn't, truly, I do.'
'Gilean?' Kaliadra questioned after a few moments and Sanria nodded her head. Kaliadra's long huff of air was the only reply before she stood up and began walking back through the woods in the direction Sanria had come.
Escher's Relativity
The sensation was most like falling, or perhaps it was like being punched in the gut and needing to vomit, or perhaps it was like nothing. Yes. If nothing had a feeling, it would be this. A void. But then again... no. Whatever it was, it was in Sanria as she opened her door and watched Maya walk in. The words came back to her in a roar, a distant conversation:
"You asked why I keep showing up in your life," Thasmudyan said, "Don't
you think that maybe, being with you was the happiest moment in my lives,
and that all I'm hoping for is another chance to have something like that
again?"
"What if Maya comes looking for you?" she asked.
"I'll deal with that if it happens. She hasn't been, though."
"If you want to be with her... if she does, I won't stop you. I've done
my fair share of... others."
"Fair enough. Still, I don't see myself choosing her if I could have you
instead."
Sanria felt her knees go weak. This was not supposed to happen. Not when she had just decided. Not when she had just told Colin that when Thasmudyan came back, she was going to be with him. No. Not this. Not now.
"So it is the right residence then. Evening to you Sanria," Maya said. No, no, this wasn't supposed to be. How did she know anything was going on? And then Sanria's questions were answered as her daughter hopped down the stairs calling out a hello. No.
"I... I see you've met my daughter, somehow. Colin... this is Maya. Maya, this is Colin, Leandra's father."
"The husband I presume," and the words seemed a slap in Sanria's face.
"No... not... exactly," Sanria said, ignored.
"I have heard your name before," Colin said.
"I'm an acquaintance of your wife's," another slap.
"We're, separated... actually,"
"Such a shame, true love really is something rare to be treasured. I'm sure you'll both find it some day," and Maya rested her eyes on Sanria.
This was not supposed to be happening. Leandra excused herself and ran back up the stairs, and Maya launched into a discussion - one to which Sanria found no choice but to sit down for. Leandra hated her, and was miserable, and needed to know the truth about Brin and Visha and- where had this come from? "Driven by a series of hates and hurts that filtered into the wrong hands will destroy your family," Maya said.
"Please, listen. There are no lies here. She knows her father and I love her, she knows that I'm not... exactly with her father. As far as Brin goes, she had issues within her that Leandra couldn't hope to compete with."
"In a world where so many children prepare to come to breathe.... should we not offer them a future worth living? Your daughter gives me hope towards my own, please do not misplace my intentions."
"...your own?"
"You didn't know? Oh of course not, it has been so long since that day you introduced us. I'm with child."
"With... wait... whose child?"
"Thasmudyan's of course."
Yes. Like falling and being punched and needing to vomit. Like cold that curls up at your feet, winding about them, nestling like a viper. Sanria felt herself turn away, blanching at the expression on Colin's face, the one he was trying to keep her from seeing. She had told Thasmudyan before that she was afraid this reality was permanent for her. Though he gave his assurances it was not... Sanria had merely to turn around to look on the face of the truth.
"You asked why I keep showing up in your life," Thasmudyan said, "Don't
you think that maybe, being with you was the happiest moment in my lives,
and that all I'm hoping for is another chance to have something like that
again?"
"What if Maya comes looking for you?" she asked.
"I'll deal with that if it happens. She hasn't been, though."
"If you want to be with her... if she does, I won't stop you. I've done
my fair share of... others."
"Fair enough. Still, I don't see myself choosing her if I could have you
instead."
Sanria felt her knees go weak. This was not supposed to happen. Not when she had just decided. Not when she had just told Colin that when Thasmudyan came back, she was going to be with him. No. Not this. Not now.
"So it is the right residence then. Evening to you Sanria," Maya said. No, no, this wasn't supposed to be. How did she know anything was going on? And then Sanria's questions were answered as her daughter hopped down the stairs calling out a hello. No.
"I... I see you've met my daughter, somehow. Colin... this is Maya. Maya, this is Colin, Leandra's father."
"The husband I presume," and the words seemed a slap in Sanria's face.
"No... not... exactly," Sanria said, ignored.
"I have heard your name before," Colin said.
"I'm an acquaintance of your wife's," another slap.
"We're, separated... actually,"
"Such a shame, true love really is something rare to be treasured. I'm sure you'll both find it some day," and Maya rested her eyes on Sanria.
This was not supposed to be happening. Leandra excused herself and ran back up the stairs, and Maya launched into a discussion - one to which Sanria found no choice but to sit down for. Leandra hated her, and was miserable, and needed to know the truth about Brin and Visha and- where had this come from? "Driven by a series of hates and hurts that filtered into the wrong hands will destroy your family," Maya said.
"Please, listen. There are no lies here. She knows her father and I love her, she knows that I'm not... exactly with her father. As far as Brin goes, she had issues within her that Leandra couldn't hope to compete with."
"In a world where so many children prepare to come to breathe.... should we not offer them a future worth living? Your daughter gives me hope towards my own, please do not misplace my intentions."
"...your own?"
"You didn't know? Oh of course not, it has been so long since that day you introduced us. I'm with child."
"With... wait... whose child?"
"Thasmudyan's of course."
Yes. Like falling and being punched and needing to vomit. Like cold that curls up at your feet, winding about them, nestling like a viper. Sanria felt herself turn away, blanching at the expression on Colin's face, the one he was trying to keep her from seeing. She had told Thasmudyan before that she was afraid this reality was permanent for her. Though he gave his assurances it was not... Sanria had merely to turn around to look on the face of the truth.
Adults Blow
Leandra called mentally for her father and waited, twiddling her thumbs and sighing. He was certainly taking his time, maybe he was just upset and didn't really want to see her - he still sounded upset by all of this. Still, she had to clarify things. As she left Maya, the woman had spoken into her mind, "Visha." She had mentioned that Visha was Brin's father, but if Visha was Brin's father, then that meant Visha was her father, too. Then Colin wasn't her dad at all, and that sent a little bit of panic into Leandra's body.
"Papa," she started once Colin had barely gotten into the room, "who is Visha?" She couldn't have anticipated the look of shock on his face.
"Visha...? Where did you hear that name?"
"I... you're my real dad, aren't you? Not Visha?"
"Of course I'm your dad. Now, Leandra, tell me, where did you hear this?"
"Promise you won't get mad at me?"
"Oh Leandra..."
So Leandra launched into the story of how she escaped the confines of the cavern and headed into Westbridge (what else was she supposed to do, actually stay here?) and her encounter with Maya. She told Colin how Maya was supposed to marry Thasmudyan and saw her father's eyes lighten a bit. "So anyways, I talked to her more about it and begged her to help me get rid of him, and she said she would. That all I had to do was tell Thasmudyan that I wanted a little time with my family before he got with Mama so he'd leave and go to Maya. Then she said she'd do the rest."
"Wait, wait... Leandra, you just met this woman and you're... plotting with her?"
"Not to kill him, she told me that she wasn't going to do that. Just to get him away from here so that you and mama can be together again. But... then she got this weird look on her face when I told her my name. She said, "Brin Stone?" and I was like yeah, and told her how gross... I mean, how you and Emalia had a baby and named her that."
"Leandra, be respectful."
"Well it is..." she muttered.
"Did she say anything about where Visha and Brin are now?" Colin asked.
"No. Nothing else. But she asked where we live and said maybe she'd come visit us."
And like magic, like, really - the doorbell rang. Ignoring her grounding, Leandra leapt up from her bed with a grin. "Maybe that's her!" And she zipped out the door.
"Leandra, wait!" Colin called after.
"Papa," she started once Colin had barely gotten into the room, "who is Visha?" She couldn't have anticipated the look of shock on his face.
"Visha...? Where did you hear that name?"
"I... you're my real dad, aren't you? Not Visha?"
"Of course I'm your dad. Now, Leandra, tell me, where did you hear this?"
"Promise you won't get mad at me?"
"Oh Leandra..."
So Leandra launched into the story of how she escaped the confines of the cavern and headed into Westbridge (what else was she supposed to do, actually stay here?) and her encounter with Maya. She told Colin how Maya was supposed to marry Thasmudyan and saw her father's eyes lighten a bit. "So anyways, I talked to her more about it and begged her to help me get rid of him, and she said she would. That all I had to do was tell Thasmudyan that I wanted a little time with my family before he got with Mama so he'd leave and go to Maya. Then she said she'd do the rest."
"Wait, wait... Leandra, you just met this woman and you're... plotting with her?"
"Not to kill him, she told me that she wasn't going to do that. Just to get him away from here so that you and mama can be together again. But... then she got this weird look on her face when I told her my name. She said, "Brin Stone?" and I was like yeah, and told her how gross... I mean, how you and Emalia had a baby and named her that."
"Leandra, be respectful."
"Well it is..." she muttered.
"Did she say anything about where Visha and Brin are now?" Colin asked.
"No. Nothing else. But she asked where we live and said maybe she'd come visit us."
And like magic, like, really - the doorbell rang. Ignoring her grounding, Leandra leapt up from her bed with a grin. "Maybe that's her!" And she zipped out the door.
"Leandra, wait!" Colin called after.
Like a Good Hostess
No sooner had Sanria offered Thasmudyan a place to stay, than Colin asked if he was still staying at Throm's. "Colin... Throm is dead... I don't really think it's appropriate for him to return to a dead man's home." She stood before Thasmudyan. "You are welcome to stay here for as long as you need."
Sanria had already walked behind the falls before realizing that Colin and Thasmudyan were still standing behind. She peered from the falls, watching as the men, unnoticed, spoke in low tones. She turned away with a deep sigh. She could not hear them, but she could only imagine. From the start, Colin had been behaving as though he were afraid. Afraid of what, she did not know, but Sanria could not help but feel as if she were being protected once more.
Once inside, when Colin had found himself looking after Orn, Sanria sat with Thasmudyan in the kitchen. The man was ravenous, but that did not concern Sanria. What she wanted to know was how after all his deaths, he managed to remember where she was left with nothing. To this, there was no answer, and a new concern cropped up. "Thasmudyan, why didn't he tell me I was engaged to Throm?"
"You'd have to ask him that."
"Ask who what?" Colin asked as he walked into the kitchen.
"... nothing," Sanria replied.
The conversation when back immediately to the lifestream, how Thasmudyan had been in it, how he had closed a hole, that Brin and Visha had vanished after it all. It drove Sanria mad. She could not remember, she could not join the conversation. At long last, Sanria looked over at Thasmudyan. "You are a healer," she began. "Can you help me remember?"
"Sanria," Colin chided. "What about what the druids said?"
Like a cowed child, Sanria rose. Colin did not wan her to remember anything. He was happy with where they were, but no matter how hard she tried, Sanria couldn't be. The black wall was sitting there, just as impenetrable as ever. She excused herself in a deep frustration, opting to keep her thoughts to herself as well as her desire to return to her former understandings.
Sanria had already walked behind the falls before realizing that Colin and Thasmudyan were still standing behind. She peered from the falls, watching as the men, unnoticed, spoke in low tones. She turned away with a deep sigh. She could not hear them, but she could only imagine. From the start, Colin had been behaving as though he were afraid. Afraid of what, she did not know, but Sanria could not help but feel as if she were being protected once more.
Once inside, when Colin had found himself looking after Orn, Sanria sat with Thasmudyan in the kitchen. The man was ravenous, but that did not concern Sanria. What she wanted to know was how after all his deaths, he managed to remember where she was left with nothing. To this, there was no answer, and a new concern cropped up. "Thasmudyan, why didn't he tell me I was engaged to Throm?"
"You'd have to ask him that."
"Ask who what?" Colin asked as he walked into the kitchen.
"... nothing," Sanria replied.
The conversation when back immediately to the lifestream, how Thasmudyan had been in it, how he had closed a hole, that Brin and Visha had vanished after it all. It drove Sanria mad. She could not remember, she could not join the conversation. At long last, Sanria looked over at Thasmudyan. "You are a healer," she began. "Can you help me remember?"
"Sanria," Colin chided. "What about what the druids said?"
Like a cowed child, Sanria rose. Colin did not wan her to remember anything. He was happy with where they were, but no matter how hard she tried, Sanria couldn't be. The black wall was sitting there, just as impenetrable as ever. She excused herself in a deep frustration, opting to keep her thoughts to herself as well as her desire to return to her former understandings.
Redheaded Stepchildren
The rocky expanse upon which the trio sat provided little in the way of shelter. It seemed though that the sorcerers had elected not to follow them to this side of the mountain. For at least that much, the young man of ivory skin and ebon hair was glad about as he looked upon his wounded friend with concern. Mystrus hadn't regained consciousness yet. They were close enough to the lifestream to where Nespian had thought he might be able to heal her within it. Second thoughts crossed the back of his mind for reasons he himself was unable or unwilling to explain. He looked down at the blade he had looted from the boy in the skirmish above. True to his word he had not looted it from a corpse. The boy was young enough to realize the error of his ways and turn from his life of crime, so Nespian had let him live. His primary concern at the time had been trying to stop the vagabond and red ribboned woman from hurting Mystrus any further. Nespian continued to stare down at his battle prize unsure of what the words etched upon the blade meant, but sure only that going forward its use would be for far nobler pursuits. He sighed as he set the large blade aside and looked down at the pale form of Mystrus as her companion Visha continued to swirl vigilantly about whispering words to which Nespian had no way of understanding. There was something about the creature he didn't trust. Hell, he wasn't even sure that he trusted Mystrus nor himself these days.
'How are you today?' Nespian muttered under his breath, placing two fingers to the side of Mystrus' temple. If she were unable to communicate outside of her mind, perhaps she might be able to from within. He didn't even realizing that this time there was no burning sensation upon contact as he set his mind to work finding hers.
'How are you today?' Nespian muttered under his breath, placing two fingers to the side of Mystrus' temple. If she were unable to communicate outside of her mind, perhaps she might be able to from within. He didn't even realizing that this time there was no burning sensation upon contact as he set his mind to work finding hers.
No Breadcrumbs
It was the next day – or at least Sanria thought it was – truly, it
could have been any day in any of the spans of time, forward or
backward, for perpetuity. She sat in the Jacuzzi once more, watching
the bubbles come from the jets as the healer worked on her shoulder
muscles – lifting her arm, tsking, and examining. She was lost in the
multitudinous thoughts until the knock at the door. A simple sound and
she was back in folded dimensions, blurred just like the bubbles of her
bath. Her next recollection was laying on the floor while Throm
harangued the healer.
Sanria’s mind slogged ahead – faces popping up to be replaced with others, all while she sat right in the same place. It was as though time had absolutely no purpose, meaning, reason, or order, and it sped with violent force in her head. Through this fragmented mess, Sanria managed to tell Throm what she could of finding Visha in the cavern. When the questions turned to the location of the rift, however, Sanria shut down. So long as she didn’t talk, Throm would never know. He would never be lost. He would never be hurt.
Sanria’s mind slogged ahead – faces popping up to be replaced with others, all while she sat right in the same place. It was as though time had absolutely no purpose, meaning, reason, or order, and it sped with violent force in her head. Through this fragmented mess, Sanria managed to tell Throm what she could of finding Visha in the cavern. When the questions turned to the location of the rift, however, Sanria shut down. So long as she didn’t talk, Throm would never know. He would never be lost. He would never be hurt.
Bathing on the Bastion
She couldn’t escape. All of Sanria’s limbs had withered while in
stasis – her legs and arms were so thin they could scarce support her
weight, and even that was dangerously low. “Please… make it stop… Make
it stop!” In her mind, flashes of Visha’s ship combined with flashes of
her own ship and flicked back in time to flashes of her own ship. None
of it made any sense – only that this certainly had to mean danger.
Throm carried her into his ship amidst her protests. She tried to chant herself into believing it would all be alright – but it was barely working. Panic sat at the edges of her mind, toying with the threads of her sanity. Amidst Throm’s questioning – his face became mixed with so many from her past. She couldn’t keep any of it straight… he was Throm, then Tarran, then Colin, then Visha, then Thasmudyan, then Havok, then Sandorin…
“What is this dimension of which you speak?” Throm and his voice cut into her mind’s dissimulation.
“No. No. I won't tell you. I won't have anyone go there. I won't. You'll die. If you don't have Colin... or Visha...” And it was true, without a guide, Throm would be as good as lost.
They both argued until Sanria could take no more. There was no further discussion as Throm led Sanria to the bathing hall and the healer on the ship. Throm excused himself as Sanria dropped her robes to the floor. She had no shame, no cares of how she might appear. In the water she watched the turbulent bubbles as the healer looked her over in absolute silence. In her mind, Sanria was here, then in the Illuminati clan Jacuzzi, then home in her tub, then here again…
Throm carried her into his ship amidst her protests. She tried to chant herself into believing it would all be alright – but it was barely working. Panic sat at the edges of her mind, toying with the threads of her sanity. Amidst Throm’s questioning – his face became mixed with so many from her past. She couldn’t keep any of it straight… he was Throm, then Tarran, then Colin, then Visha, then Thasmudyan, then Havok, then Sandorin…
“What is this dimension of which you speak?” Throm and his voice cut into her mind’s dissimulation.
“No. No. I won't tell you. I won't have anyone go there. I won't. You'll die. If you don't have Colin... or Visha...” And it was true, without a guide, Throm would be as good as lost.
They both argued until Sanria could take no more. There was no further discussion as Throm led Sanria to the bathing hall and the healer on the ship. Throm excused himself as Sanria dropped her robes to the floor. She had no shame, no cares of how she might appear. In the water she watched the turbulent bubbles as the healer looked her over in absolute silence. In her mind, Sanria was here, then in the Illuminati clan Jacuzzi, then home in her tub, then here again…
Vanishing... (1-3)
Sanria's hand slowly went back to her whip as she asked, "Where's Sandorin?"
"I don't know... he disappeared. What... what has happened? Please, tell me, what have I done?"
"You probably killed him, you monster. Where is he?"
Sanria's whip unfurled and the tips clattered down with a jingle upon the stone floor. Small electric-like arcs of fire lapped the length of the leather - activated by the user. Sanria's eyes darkened. She had a missing daughter, no lover, a missing brother, and a vile being sitting right at her feet upon which she could release her fury for not only all of those things, but the things Visha had done to her in her past. She lifted her hand and the vines enclosed the slumping figure on the floor. "I wished I could have killed you a long time ago, Visha. Threatening those I love... making me do those... those... horrible things."
"Please, I need your help. I didn't realize what had happened."
"Of course you didn't," Sanria spat.
"In my mind... I saw him in there... and the other."
She flicked her whip, barely slicing into Colin's cheek. "Lies. I tell you this much, you're not going to hurt my daughter. I'll see you dead and gone long before that."
"Emalia. Where is Emalia! Is she alright?"
Sanria's heart flared with rage. Of all the audacious things he could have said... "Oh you evil swine!" Sanria's whip found its tips slicing through the flesh of Colin's chin, fire dancing brightly before simmering down, searing the open wound before going out. "Filth!"
"Listen to me! Please! I didn't know what was inside of me but Sandorin took it out. He went into my mind..."
Sanria looked at Colin now as if for the first time. Her breath caused her shoulders to rise and fall angrily as her uncertainty worked its way through her. Finally, she let the whip drop to the ground and waved a hand, dismissing the vines from her victim. "It was not me," he continued. "Well, the old me, but worse. Whatever it was, Sandorin removed it. I finally realized it was there, he helped me to see, and I was able to help him."
"Then where is Sandorin, and where is that... thing?" Sanria whispered. She looked over with enough time to see the wound on Colin's chin ooze a bit of blood onto the floor. She reached to her pouch with regret, and pulled out several vials of salve.
"I don't know. I remember falling to the floor, I looked up and saw him for only a moment before he vanished." Colin rose and approached Sanria. "Sanria, please. Where is Emalia?"
"She's gone, Colin. To where... no one knows. None can find her."
Sanria dabbed Colin's chin with a paste of stinking herbal salve. She kept her eyes locked on the wound, feeling measurably more at ease knowing he did not have Visha in him any longer, but the worry pressed on her with her wayward brother being gone.
"Throm went into the lifestream to run tests," Sanria said, talking mainly to herself.
"Apparently that black makou is just as bad as I assumed."
"When? When did this happen?" Colin asked, never having heard Sanria's comment.
"When? You remember none of this? She's been done almost seven days."
"Seven days!? But just last night I was there with her!"
"No... you were not. We've all tried reaching her, and even Throm went to Grobnak to question him."
"Throm gave me that black makou, then you had me tangled."
"Colin... that was a week ago. Though, we haven't had any other success... and indeed... have had failures." Sanria immediately looked down, her lips tight, her thoughts on Throm. "Throm figures you and he shared the same odd dream," Sanria said, slightly changing the subject. "Some fellow, Halethiel, was in them."Colin's eyes widened. "Sanria... in the dream... there was another in my dream."
"Another?"
"My shadow, it spoke to this Halethiel, and he to it."
"You saw this man then?"
The two continued speaking, discussing Visha, Halethiel, the dream, and the lack of a body for Emalia. It was then that Colin said something that chilled Sanria to the core. "I took her to another plane before, when I was trying to keep her safe." The admission set both of them on a path to Colin's airship and a piece of his past.
Sanria was kept blindfolded, but the sounds she heard - the moans, the screams, the growling - sent her to the edge of her sanity. She wanted nothing more than to rip the blindfold from her eyes and defend herself, but as Colin informed her... to do so might find her lost in the planar vortex forever.
She could not tell how many places they went, nor how long time passed. Sanria could barely send out her thoughts to seek for her daughter - so terrifying was the trip. But after unknown time spent, there was only silence to greet each request. Emalia was obviously not here. But the idea of planes got Sanria thinking.
"She has to be in a plane somewhere. When we were in one plane, I could not detect anything in the others... I could not feel them even existing. If Sandorin were here, he might know how to better look for her... but..."
Sanria plopped into a chair, utterly exhausted from the strain. "How many more people have to go away," she lamented.
"None, we will find her, find them both. We just have to think this through. Who saw her last?"
A shudder sliced through Sanria as she realized just who she was helping here. It was immediate that she had to remember... this was not Visha. "You did."
"Then we have to assume that I... Visha that is... is responsible."
"It sounds almost foolish to suggest... and I don't think it's possible to do... but... do you think he could have taken her to the dream? In... his dream?"
"I just don't know. How could he? I mean, I can't even use magic. I couldn't... could I?"
"No. Not without something powerful to get her there."
Sanria's thoughts never strenthened into more. Perhaps she might have placed what powerful thing could have let Visha take Emalia into a dream - but she had never heard of such an event, let alone anything that could have allowed such a thing to happen. No, her next thoughts were of Halethiel, and who might know this man. There was only one being she could think of that would begin to have a clue, but Grobnak truly was the last person she wanted to visit.
"I don't know... he disappeared. What... what has happened? Please, tell me, what have I done?"
"You probably killed him, you monster. Where is he?"
Sanria's whip unfurled and the tips clattered down with a jingle upon the stone floor. Small electric-like arcs of fire lapped the length of the leather - activated by the user. Sanria's eyes darkened. She had a missing daughter, no lover, a missing brother, and a vile being sitting right at her feet upon which she could release her fury for not only all of those things, but the things Visha had done to her in her past. She lifted her hand and the vines enclosed the slumping figure on the floor. "I wished I could have killed you a long time ago, Visha. Threatening those I love... making me do those... those... horrible things."
"Please, I need your help. I didn't realize what had happened."
"Of course you didn't," Sanria spat.
"In my mind... I saw him in there... and the other."
She flicked her whip, barely slicing into Colin's cheek. "Lies. I tell you this much, you're not going to hurt my daughter. I'll see you dead and gone long before that."
"Emalia. Where is Emalia! Is she alright?"
Sanria's heart flared with rage. Of all the audacious things he could have said... "Oh you evil swine!" Sanria's whip found its tips slicing through the flesh of Colin's chin, fire dancing brightly before simmering down, searing the open wound before going out. "Filth!"
"Listen to me! Please! I didn't know what was inside of me but Sandorin took it out. He went into my mind..."
Sanria looked at Colin now as if for the first time. Her breath caused her shoulders to rise and fall angrily as her uncertainty worked its way through her. Finally, she let the whip drop to the ground and waved a hand, dismissing the vines from her victim. "It was not me," he continued. "Well, the old me, but worse. Whatever it was, Sandorin removed it. I finally realized it was there, he helped me to see, and I was able to help him."
"Then where is Sandorin, and where is that... thing?" Sanria whispered. She looked over with enough time to see the wound on Colin's chin ooze a bit of blood onto the floor. She reached to her pouch with regret, and pulled out several vials of salve.
"I don't know. I remember falling to the floor, I looked up and saw him for only a moment before he vanished." Colin rose and approached Sanria. "Sanria, please. Where is Emalia?"
"She's gone, Colin. To where... no one knows. None can find her."
Sanria dabbed Colin's chin with a paste of stinking herbal salve. She kept her eyes locked on the wound, feeling measurably more at ease knowing he did not have Visha in him any longer, but the worry pressed on her with her wayward brother being gone.
"Throm went into the lifestream to run tests," Sanria said, talking mainly to herself.
"Apparently that black makou is just as bad as I assumed."
"When? When did this happen?" Colin asked, never having heard Sanria's comment.
"When? You remember none of this? She's been done almost seven days."
"Seven days!? But just last night I was there with her!"
"No... you were not. We've all tried reaching her, and even Throm went to Grobnak to question him."
"Throm gave me that black makou, then you had me tangled."
"Colin... that was a week ago. Though, we haven't had any other success... and indeed... have had failures." Sanria immediately looked down, her lips tight, her thoughts on Throm. "Throm figures you and he shared the same odd dream," Sanria said, slightly changing the subject. "Some fellow, Halethiel, was in them."Colin's eyes widened. "Sanria... in the dream... there was another in my dream."
"Another?"
"My shadow, it spoke to this Halethiel, and he to it."
"You saw this man then?"
The two continued speaking, discussing Visha, Halethiel, the dream, and the lack of a body for Emalia. It was then that Colin said something that chilled Sanria to the core. "I took her to another plane before, when I was trying to keep her safe." The admission set both of them on a path to Colin's airship and a piece of his past.
Sanria was kept blindfolded, but the sounds she heard - the moans, the screams, the growling - sent her to the edge of her sanity. She wanted nothing more than to rip the blindfold from her eyes and defend herself, but as Colin informed her... to do so might find her lost in the planar vortex forever.
She could not tell how many places they went, nor how long time passed. Sanria could barely send out her thoughts to seek for her daughter - so terrifying was the trip. But after unknown time spent, there was only silence to greet each request. Emalia was obviously not here. But the idea of planes got Sanria thinking.
"She has to be in a plane somewhere. When we were in one plane, I could not detect anything in the others... I could not feel them even existing. If Sandorin were here, he might know how to better look for her... but..."
Sanria plopped into a chair, utterly exhausted from the strain. "How many more people have to go away," she lamented.
"None, we will find her, find them both. We just have to think this through. Who saw her last?"
A shudder sliced through Sanria as she realized just who she was helping here. It was immediate that she had to remember... this was not Visha. "You did."
"Then we have to assume that I... Visha that is... is responsible."
"It sounds almost foolish to suggest... and I don't think it's possible to do... but... do you think he could have taken her to the dream? In... his dream?"
"I just don't know. How could he? I mean, I can't even use magic. I couldn't... could I?"
"No. Not without something powerful to get her there."
Sanria's thoughts never strenthened into more. Perhaps she might have placed what powerful thing could have let Visha take Emalia into a dream - but she had never heard of such an event, let alone anything that could have allowed such a thing to happen. No, her next thoughts were of Halethiel, and who might know this man. There was only one being she could think of that would begin to have a clue, but Grobnak truly was the last person she wanted to visit.
Preponderance of Evidence
It was not completely dark when Sanria began her walk home from Throm's house. She walked alone, her head bowed in deep reflective thought, her hands gripping the strap on her pack. She wanted nothing more for him to have simply said 'No.' Was he aware of what it was going to do to her? 'No.' If only. But they both would have known it was a lie, and rather than have that pain, she'd take the pain of the truth.
There was no way she could stay with a man that took chances as if they were tissues in a box. She had risked her life and Thasmudyan's to find him, to save him in the North. She had gotten his word that she would be with him no matter what - but like the proverbial leopard, there was nothing she could do. She couldn't blame herself, she simply had to face the facts... she was growing older and she would be doing it alone.
Sanria thought, then, of Emalia. Perhaps, just perhaps, she would be able to find her daughter and bring her home. It would be like it was for so many years, but this time, they could share one another's company. Sanria, Emalia, and the little baby girl... her granddaughter. Sanria's mouth twitched into an uneasy smile, even as a tear escaped her eye. She'd envelop them in a cocooned world and shut out all the rest of the misery.
At the cavern finally, Sanria headed to Sandorin's laboratory. For now, she and her brother would have a chance to question the horror that was Visha and find out what in the hells happened to her daughter. She walked in and quickly looked around... Colin sat on the floor, looking up at her while Sandorin... was no where to be found.
There was no way she could stay with a man that took chances as if they were tissues in a box. She had risked her life and Thasmudyan's to find him, to save him in the North. She had gotten his word that she would be with him no matter what - but like the proverbial leopard, there was nothing she could do. She couldn't blame herself, she simply had to face the facts... she was growing older and she would be doing it alone.
Sanria thought, then, of Emalia. Perhaps, just perhaps, she would be able to find her daughter and bring her home. It would be like it was for so many years, but this time, they could share one another's company. Sanria, Emalia, and the little baby girl... her granddaughter. Sanria's mouth twitched into an uneasy smile, even as a tear escaped her eye. She'd envelop them in a cocooned world and shut out all the rest of the misery.
At the cavern finally, Sanria headed to Sandorin's laboratory. For now, she and her brother would have a chance to question the horror that was Visha and find out what in the hells happened to her daughter. She walked in and quickly looked around... Colin sat on the floor, looking up at her while Sandorin... was no where to be found.
Extraction *Part 1-3*
Sandorin paced as he stared at Colin's motionless body. It lay suspended, inches above the floor of the study, held in stasis by a shimmering transparent field. "How could this have happened." he wondered to himself. The plan had seemed flawless. Years ago, as Sandorin had grown wiser he had begun to realize that no matter how much knowledge Visha may have been able to offer, he was just too dangerous to be allowed to continue to roam free. After all, Sandorin had a family to protect, as did so many others in the realms. He had felt it his duty to do something. Tricking him into being locked in this body, incapable of evil acts, even evil thoughts... it was a perfect solution. Sandorin had been so sure of himself.
How could he have known this body would actually become alive. Sandorin's enchantments were flawless on an animated corpse but on a living being... It just wasn't supposed to be that way. And now, to find Visha here, right in the midst of his family, married to his niece, the father of her baby even! The irony of the whole thing was sickening.
Yet, there was something more than that here. He wasn't just dealing with the same Visha in this body. Somehow there were two within this one mind. The Colin that Emalia loved, who had answered Sandorin's questions so truthfully, and Visha just as demented and treacherous as ever but now seeting with a long cultivated hatred. Sandorin didn't know exactly what interaction of magic and lifeforce could have caused this to happen but there was one thing he did know. Emalia loved Colin and Colin felt the same for her.
There was only one thing for Sandorin to do. He had gotten them all in this situation by his actions, now it was going to be up to him to make things right.
Sandorin stopped his pacing at Colin's head, the large man's eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. With a gesture of his hand the body, still contained within the stasis field, rose higher off the floor to chest level. Sandorin looked down into the face before him. The expression was so serene and peaceful, belying the schism contained within. Love and hate, protection and malice. It was up to Sandorin to seperate these two.
At times like this Sandorin was grateful for how many years of his life he had dedicated to finding strength and power in all its forms. He may not have a wife, or children of his own to show for it, but he had knowledge and now that could be used to protect those around him.
Though posessing no particular natural psionic talent of his own he had studied the subject thoroughly. He had a feeling he was going to need every bit of that education now. Sandorin raised his opalescent right hand, reaching through the shimmering field, and laid it gently upon Colin's forehead. Though it was the result of a great tragedy, this magical apendage of his had aided him greatly through the years. Now, just as much as his knowledge, Sandorin was counting on its affinities to get him through this.
Sandorin took several deep breaths to steady his body and focus his resolve. With the final cleansing breath he closed hs eyes. The pearly white hand resting on Colin's head began to glow, pulsing slightly with the beat of Sandorin's heart. A moment later the fingers began to shimmer and then spread, almost as if melting upon the large man's skin, before sinking entirely under the surface.
Sandorin was immediately immersed within a turbulent malestrom. Light and dark swirled about in a chaotic dance. The dark thrashing violently against the light. The light momentarily broken apart before rejoining and repulsing the dark. The dark was viscious and dominating, the light resilient but fractured. Sandorin could tell that it would only be a matter of time before the light would be broken apart entirely, leaving only the dark as a cohesive whole.
Sandorin took action. He focused his will into a shimmering, pearly net. It swept through the expanse before him to collect the darkness. But something was wrong, it wasn't working. Like trying to collect oil floating in water the darkness was slipping through, trailing like little beads that quickly rejoined. The new presence was now noticed and the darkness reacted. It attacked the net, crashing in waves against it, threatening to snap the shimmering strands.
A stabbing pain shot through Sandorin's mind but he steadied himself. With a supreme effort he refocused his will and the shimmering net tightened, forming into a tighter weave. Again it swept through the expanse, this time collecting the dark as it went. But the darkness did not go quietly, it thrashed and plunged mercilessly against the shimmering weave and for Sandorin the pain was excrutiating. For a moment he faltered, and a hole opened.
Just as the darkness began to spill through the light finally came into action. It slammed into the darkness forcing it back through the opening and enveloped the weave, pushing it along. The pain immediately lessened for Sandorin and he quickly enveloped the last of the darkness within the weave. With one tremendous strain that felt like lifting the dead weight of a horse Sandorin pulled himself back from the expanse.
He opened his eyes and blinked, momentarily blinded by the sting of sweat running into them. His chest heaved as he gasped for breath and his robes clung to his damp skin. He quickly wiped the sweat from his eyes with his left hand and looked before him. Colin's motionless body still floated there and above it Sandorin held his pearlescent right arm aloft. Clenched tightly within his fist was a writhing, smoky black mass. Sandorin permitted a small smile to crack his lips before collapsing to the floor.
How could he have known this body would actually become alive. Sandorin's enchantments were flawless on an animated corpse but on a living being... It just wasn't supposed to be that way. And now, to find Visha here, right in the midst of his family, married to his niece, the father of her baby even! The irony of the whole thing was sickening.
Yet, there was something more than that here. He wasn't just dealing with the same Visha in this body. Somehow there were two within this one mind. The Colin that Emalia loved, who had answered Sandorin's questions so truthfully, and Visha just as demented and treacherous as ever but now seeting with a long cultivated hatred. Sandorin didn't know exactly what interaction of magic and lifeforce could have caused this to happen but there was one thing he did know. Emalia loved Colin and Colin felt the same for her.
There was only one thing for Sandorin to do. He had gotten them all in this situation by his actions, now it was going to be up to him to make things right.
Sandorin stopped his pacing at Colin's head, the large man's eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. With a gesture of his hand the body, still contained within the stasis field, rose higher off the floor to chest level. Sandorin looked down into the face before him. The expression was so serene and peaceful, belying the schism contained within. Love and hate, protection and malice. It was up to Sandorin to seperate these two.
At times like this Sandorin was grateful for how many years of his life he had dedicated to finding strength and power in all its forms. He may not have a wife, or children of his own to show for it, but he had knowledge and now that could be used to protect those around him.
Though posessing no particular natural psionic talent of his own he had studied the subject thoroughly. He had a feeling he was going to need every bit of that education now. Sandorin raised his opalescent right hand, reaching through the shimmering field, and laid it gently upon Colin's forehead. Though it was the result of a great tragedy, this magical apendage of his had aided him greatly through the years. Now, just as much as his knowledge, Sandorin was counting on its affinities to get him through this.
Sandorin took several deep breaths to steady his body and focus his resolve. With the final cleansing breath he closed hs eyes. The pearly white hand resting on Colin's head began to glow, pulsing slightly with the beat of Sandorin's heart. A moment later the fingers began to shimmer and then spread, almost as if melting upon the large man's skin, before sinking entirely under the surface.
Sandorin was immediately immersed within a turbulent malestrom. Light and dark swirled about in a chaotic dance. The dark thrashing violently against the light. The light momentarily broken apart before rejoining and repulsing the dark. The dark was viscious and dominating, the light resilient but fractured. Sandorin could tell that it would only be a matter of time before the light would be broken apart entirely, leaving only the dark as a cohesive whole.
Sandorin took action. He focused his will into a shimmering, pearly net. It swept through the expanse before him to collect the darkness. But something was wrong, it wasn't working. Like trying to collect oil floating in water the darkness was slipping through, trailing like little beads that quickly rejoined. The new presence was now noticed and the darkness reacted. It attacked the net, crashing in waves against it, threatening to snap the shimmering strands.
A stabbing pain shot through Sandorin's mind but he steadied himself. With a supreme effort he refocused his will and the shimmering net tightened, forming into a tighter weave. Again it swept through the expanse, this time collecting the dark as it went. But the darkness did not go quietly, it thrashed and plunged mercilessly against the shimmering weave and for Sandorin the pain was excrutiating. For a moment he faltered, and a hole opened.
Just as the darkness began to spill through the light finally came into action. It slammed into the darkness forcing it back through the opening and enveloped the weave, pushing it along. The pain immediately lessened for Sandorin and he quickly enveloped the last of the darkness within the weave. With one tremendous strain that felt like lifting the dead weight of a horse Sandorin pulled himself back from the expanse.
He opened his eyes and blinked, momentarily blinded by the sting of sweat running into them. His chest heaved as he gasped for breath and his robes clung to his damp skin. He quickly wiped the sweat from his eyes with his left hand and looked before him. Colin's motionless body still floated there and above it Sandorin held his pearlescent right arm aloft. Clenched tightly within his fist was a writhing, smoky black mass. Sandorin permitted a small smile to crack his lips before collapsing to the floor.
Multiple Personalities
It didn't take long for Sandorin to arrive and to take a look over the entangled body that lay on the floor. In light of everything, Sanria and Sandorin made little by way of pleasantries; rather, Sanria came right to the point, telling her brother everything.
As they spoke, Colin grew once more in his ire. "Don't you stand there and talk about me like I'm not even here, not LET ME UP!!"
"Something's wrong here," Sandorin said, examining the man before him. "This isn't the same man I saw a few days ago. This is more like...."
"Like?" Sanria questioned at Sandorin's long pause.
"Visha."
Sanria's small bit of focus upon her spell wavered as a blast of what felt like ice hit her. The last name she had expected to hear from Sandorin's mouth was that one. Visha - a shade that long ago had threatened to reveal her feelings for Thasmudyan at a time when she and Thasmudyan were not free to feel such things, not to mention do such things. Visha - a shade that then thought to offer power in return for use of Sanria's body by inhabiting it. No - this was unbearable in all forms. "And you married them," Sanria managed. "What in the hells is wrong with you men?"
Sandorin spent more time explaining to Sanria what had taken place, all the while, her mind turned over the fact she had Colin in her grasp. As Sandorin talked, the vines within Sanria's control tightened. 'How easy it would be to end this,' she thought. 'How easy to spare Emalia whatever pain this demon has in him. 'My wife' indeed.' Only Sandorin's hand on her arm stopped her, and the vines that were steadily squeezing the air from her victim.
"What do we do now?" Sanria asked quietly.
"Well, something has happened with him becoming alive. What if... what if there are two... in him?"
"Well, how does one fix such a thing?" Sanria asked. She truly didn't care, and it apparently came through in her voice.
"I wouldn't even know where to start. But Sanria, I can tell you one thing. The man that I spoke with truly loves Emalia and only wants the best for her. And Emalia feels the same for him... We owe them to try and fix this."
Sandorin placed a sleep spell over Colin, and both he and Sanria continued talking about Emalia long after. Eventually, Sanria allowed the vines recede, and Sandorin levitated the hulking form from the doorway with the promise of doing what he could. In truth, Sanria would have rather taken her son-in-law's life than let Visha roam the realms again - but Sandorin had a point. Also, to kill her daughter's husband... any hope for a smooth relationship with Emalia would end there... if, that was, she was still alive to have that relationship.
As they spoke, Colin grew once more in his ire. "Don't you stand there and talk about me like I'm not even here, not LET ME UP!!"
"Something's wrong here," Sandorin said, examining the man before him. "This isn't the same man I saw a few days ago. This is more like...."
"Like?" Sanria questioned at Sandorin's long pause.
"Visha."
Sanria's small bit of focus upon her spell wavered as a blast of what felt like ice hit her. The last name she had expected to hear from Sandorin's mouth was that one. Visha - a shade that long ago had threatened to reveal her feelings for Thasmudyan at a time when she and Thasmudyan were not free to feel such things, not to mention do such things. Visha - a shade that then thought to offer power in return for use of Sanria's body by inhabiting it. No - this was unbearable in all forms. "And you married them," Sanria managed. "What in the hells is wrong with you men?"
Sandorin spent more time explaining to Sanria what had taken place, all the while, her mind turned over the fact she had Colin in her grasp. As Sandorin talked, the vines within Sanria's control tightened. 'How easy it would be to end this,' she thought. 'How easy to spare Emalia whatever pain this demon has in him. 'My wife' indeed.' Only Sandorin's hand on her arm stopped her, and the vines that were steadily squeezing the air from her victim.
"What do we do now?" Sanria asked quietly.
"Well, something has happened with him becoming alive. What if... what if there are two... in him?"
"Well, how does one fix such a thing?" Sanria asked. She truly didn't care, and it apparently came through in her voice.
"I wouldn't even know where to start. But Sanria, I can tell you one thing. The man that I spoke with truly loves Emalia and only wants the best for her. And Emalia feels the same for him... We owe them to try and fix this."
Sandorin placed a sleep spell over Colin, and both he and Sanria continued talking about Emalia long after. Eventually, Sanria allowed the vines recede, and Sandorin levitated the hulking form from the doorway with the promise of doing what he could. In truth, Sanria would have rather taken her son-in-law's life than let Visha roam the realms again - but Sandorin had a point. Also, to kill her daughter's husband... any hope for a smooth relationship with Emalia would end there... if, that was, she was still alive to have that relationship.
Strange dreams (Pt. 1-4)
Visha lay in bed with Emalia huddled in his arms. They had retired to the bedroom for the purpose of taking a nap, a decision Visha had no part in. He was simply an observer. Trapped within his own little prison. It was not without it's moments though, as he had taken some pleasure in the actions which had followed their arrival in the bedroom, but not nearly as much as if he were in control. Here he found himself, Colin as contented as could be and consequently supressing him more than ever, as they drifted off to sleep.
He soon found himself in a lush, beautiful paradise. However, Visha was not really interested in the wondrous, invigorating colors which showed this place to be more than than real. He was instead more intrigued to find himself fairly seperated from his body, existing as his own shadow.
Apparently Colin was still in control of his body since he was holding a conversation with one who called himself Halethiel. Visha simply observed the exchange from over his body's shoulder, the content of the conversation of no perticular interest other than the fact his unborn daughter was mentioned. His mere observation was not for long once Halethiel addressed him directly. "State your name and purpose, creature."
They exchanged a few words, Colin finally noticing Visha but obviously not comprehending his signifigance. All for the better, Visha thought, subversion is much easier accomplished when unnoticed. Soon it was apparent that Halethiel was done speaking to Colin as he enclosed him within the walls of a doorless cottage. Visha found himself relatively free of of Colin for the first time in what seemed to be ages, yet his form still tapered off underneath the cottage walls.
Halethiel spoke directly to him, "He is a fragment of you, you say? And what are you... Visha?" Visha hesitated. He had no idea who this individual was yet he obviously commanded some power here. He decided to see where this would lead. "I am Visha, as I said and that is but a fragment of me. One that has grown far too strong."
"How did you come to be trapped this way?"
One word. "Sandorin." The seething anger that filled Visha at the simple mention of the name was immediate.
"Sandorin? Who is this, Sandorin?"
"An ungrateful vermin."
"Is this child of your... fragments, yours as well?"
Visha's rage was immediate at the audacity of the question. "His child!? HIS!? That is my child! MINE!", Visha seethed, "They are both mine! He is but a weakling allowed to gain power... but make no mistake, I am Visha. HE is not me!"
Halethiel simply observed Visha's outburst, only showing mild interest.
"You said that Sandorin put you in this state."
"Yes... Sandorin. That vile betrayer. After all I showed him... HE was the one who came begging to ME!"
Visha was consumed by his own rage. His thoughts swam between the incredulous idea that Colin was anything more than an insignificant obstacle and what he would do to Sandorin if only given the chance. He was so consumed he barely noticed as Halethiel punctured his own wrist and allowed some of his blood to drain into an object he held mostly concealed within his other hand. Soon a faint palpitating sound could be heard emanating from the object. "And how did he do this to you, that you should be the shadow and the fragment the master?"
Caught up, Visha found himself relating the events. "He only had to do one final task for me. It was to repay me for everything I had shown him. Simply create my new body. A new vessel for me to inhabit. But he did... something. Once I entered it I could not leave and I was imprisoned. The betrayal. Almost every thought I had was countered. In the end, it was him left."
"Intriguing."
"NO! Unthinkable!"
The conversation then turned to matters of little consequence like how Visha died, the need for balance, and how Visha had allowed Sandorin's betrayal to come to pass. Then Halethiel posed a question, "Would you like your revenge?"
To Visha the question was ridiculous, "Oh, have no doubt, I WILL get my revenge."
Halethiel said nothing. He lifted his left hand in the air, the blood from his wounded wrist trickling down his arm, and a shaft of pure light streaked from the sky, severing a small portion of Visha's shadow form from the rest. Visha howled in pain and lashed out at Halethiel with a strike intended to kill yet his insubstantial form passed right through the man. Halethiel paid the attack no heed, simply picking up the fragment of shadow that had fallen to the ground and placing it in his palm with the pulsating object. Visha seethed with fury. "How dare you!"
Halethiel spoke to him calmly, "Calm yourself, Visha. In pain there is salvation. As long as your friend controls you, how will you ever know the joy of possessing your woman? Or raising your child to be a truly great wizard like yourself, to do your bidding?"
His child. This led to conversation about Visha's late son and why he had had his current body created. They then degenerated into arguing about how Visha had allowed Sandorin's betrayal. "Some part of you desired to be reborn in this state, or else Colin would not be here in this manner."
"No! Don't you listen! It was Sandorin who did this you idiot!" Visha was almost entirely out of patience with this man. "This is ridiculous."
Halethiel paused a moment before asking, "What would it take to free yourself from Colin, Visha? To make him the fragment once more, and you the master?"
Visha thought the question moronic. "If I knew that it would be done, don't you think? I don't know how this happened... somehow with the spell... and then me becoming alive."
"You have never had a moment of control since the fragment has taken control of the soul?"
"Yes.. .when he is under stress he weakens. He can be influenced. But I cannot gain control... at least, not yet."
"Then you must ask yourself how best to put him under stress."
Visha thought on this for a long moment while Halethiel watched him patiently. "My family... Emalia and the child..."
"What of it?"
"They are his closest attachments. But they are mine." Visha found himself at a loss for how to bend this to his advantage without harming what was his.
"There is something I want from you, Visha.", Halethiel stated plainly,
"If you grant it, you will be rewarded with your freedom."
"How can you promise me my freedom? You know less than I about my situation." Visha scoffed outwardly at the offer yet could not help but be intrigued.
"If your family were to disappear and Colin did not know where they were, but you did, Visha, would that not put him under stress? Would that not free you to influence him?"
Visha's interest was growing. "Perhaps... You can make that happen?"
"I can, but only with your help."
"Go on."
It was then that Halethiel divulged his plan. He revealed the object he held in his hand - a black, beating heart. It was the dream symbol of an enchantment that would be placed within Colin/Visha's body. Immediately upon the next time they fell asleep the enchantment would trigger, simultaneously waking them and creating an illusion of dreaming sleep. However, Visha would be exempted from the illusion, leaving him temporarily in sole control of his body. He could then lead Emalia through a waiting portal back to this place where Colin would be unable to find her.
The plan seemed surprisingly viable yet Visha was doubtful, after all, what motivation did this stranger have in helping him. It was then that his fee was revealed. Visha needed return with not only Emalia but black makou as well. It would be delivered to him and he need only bring it through.
The bargain seemed fair enough and after the requisite threats from both sides to ensure loalty they agreed upon it. Halethiel cautioned him, "Know that you have one night only to reclaim your freedom. Do not waste it."
"Don't worry about that, I will do what is needed."
"This is going to hurt.", Halethiel warned, and as Visha steeled himself he thrust the dark heart directly into his chest, chanting a few arcane words as he did. "I will await your return, Visha. May your quest be unopposed." Satisfied with a successful implantation Visha nodded. "I'll make sure it is not."
The preperations complete, Halethiel dissolved the cabin seperating Colin with a single gesture. Then, with a simple snap of his fingers, they found themselves in normal sleep.
He soon found himself in a lush, beautiful paradise. However, Visha was not really interested in the wondrous, invigorating colors which showed this place to be more than than real. He was instead more intrigued to find himself fairly seperated from his body, existing as his own shadow.
Apparently Colin was still in control of his body since he was holding a conversation with one who called himself Halethiel. Visha simply observed the exchange from over his body's shoulder, the content of the conversation of no perticular interest other than the fact his unborn daughter was mentioned. His mere observation was not for long once Halethiel addressed him directly. "State your name and purpose, creature."
They exchanged a few words, Colin finally noticing Visha but obviously not comprehending his signifigance. All for the better, Visha thought, subversion is much easier accomplished when unnoticed. Soon it was apparent that Halethiel was done speaking to Colin as he enclosed him within the walls of a doorless cottage. Visha found himself relatively free of of Colin for the first time in what seemed to be ages, yet his form still tapered off underneath the cottage walls.
Halethiel spoke directly to him, "He is a fragment of you, you say? And what are you... Visha?" Visha hesitated. He had no idea who this individual was yet he obviously commanded some power here. He decided to see where this would lead. "I am Visha, as I said and that is but a fragment of me. One that has grown far too strong."
"How did you come to be trapped this way?"
One word. "Sandorin." The seething anger that filled Visha at the simple mention of the name was immediate.
"Sandorin? Who is this, Sandorin?"
"An ungrateful vermin."
"Is this child of your... fragments, yours as well?"
Visha's rage was immediate at the audacity of the question. "His child!? HIS!? That is my child! MINE!", Visha seethed, "They are both mine! He is but a weakling allowed to gain power... but make no mistake, I am Visha. HE is not me!"
Halethiel simply observed Visha's outburst, only showing mild interest.
"You said that Sandorin put you in this state."
"Yes... Sandorin. That vile betrayer. After all I showed him... HE was the one who came begging to ME!"
Visha was consumed by his own rage. His thoughts swam between the incredulous idea that Colin was anything more than an insignificant obstacle and what he would do to Sandorin if only given the chance. He was so consumed he barely noticed as Halethiel punctured his own wrist and allowed some of his blood to drain into an object he held mostly concealed within his other hand. Soon a faint palpitating sound could be heard emanating from the object. "And how did he do this to you, that you should be the shadow and the fragment the master?"
Caught up, Visha found himself relating the events. "He only had to do one final task for me. It was to repay me for everything I had shown him. Simply create my new body. A new vessel for me to inhabit. But he did... something. Once I entered it I could not leave and I was imprisoned. The betrayal. Almost every thought I had was countered. In the end, it was him left."
"Intriguing."
"NO! Unthinkable!"
The conversation then turned to matters of little consequence like how Visha died, the need for balance, and how Visha had allowed Sandorin's betrayal to come to pass. Then Halethiel posed a question, "Would you like your revenge?"
To Visha the question was ridiculous, "Oh, have no doubt, I WILL get my revenge."
Halethiel said nothing. He lifted his left hand in the air, the blood from his wounded wrist trickling down his arm, and a shaft of pure light streaked from the sky, severing a small portion of Visha's shadow form from the rest. Visha howled in pain and lashed out at Halethiel with a strike intended to kill yet his insubstantial form passed right through the man. Halethiel paid the attack no heed, simply picking up the fragment of shadow that had fallen to the ground and placing it in his palm with the pulsating object. Visha seethed with fury. "How dare you!"
Halethiel spoke to him calmly, "Calm yourself, Visha. In pain there is salvation. As long as your friend controls you, how will you ever know the joy of possessing your woman? Or raising your child to be a truly great wizard like yourself, to do your bidding?"
His child. This led to conversation about Visha's late son and why he had had his current body created. They then degenerated into arguing about how Visha had allowed Sandorin's betrayal. "Some part of you desired to be reborn in this state, or else Colin would not be here in this manner."
"No! Don't you listen! It was Sandorin who did this you idiot!" Visha was almost entirely out of patience with this man. "This is ridiculous."
Halethiel paused a moment before asking, "What would it take to free yourself from Colin, Visha? To make him the fragment once more, and you the master?"
Visha thought the question moronic. "If I knew that it would be done, don't you think? I don't know how this happened... somehow with the spell... and then me becoming alive."
"You have never had a moment of control since the fragment has taken control of the soul?"
"Yes.. .when he is under stress he weakens. He can be influenced. But I cannot gain control... at least, not yet."
"Then you must ask yourself how best to put him under stress."
Visha thought on this for a long moment while Halethiel watched him patiently. "My family... Emalia and the child..."
"What of it?"
"They are his closest attachments. But they are mine." Visha found himself at a loss for how to bend this to his advantage without harming what was his.
"There is something I want from you, Visha.", Halethiel stated plainly,
"If you grant it, you will be rewarded with your freedom."
"How can you promise me my freedom? You know less than I about my situation." Visha scoffed outwardly at the offer yet could not help but be intrigued.
"If your family were to disappear and Colin did not know where they were, but you did, Visha, would that not put him under stress? Would that not free you to influence him?"
Visha's interest was growing. "Perhaps... You can make that happen?"
"I can, but only with your help."
"Go on."
It was then that Halethiel divulged his plan. He revealed the object he held in his hand - a black, beating heart. It was the dream symbol of an enchantment that would be placed within Colin/Visha's body. Immediately upon the next time they fell asleep the enchantment would trigger, simultaneously waking them and creating an illusion of dreaming sleep. However, Visha would be exempted from the illusion, leaving him temporarily in sole control of his body. He could then lead Emalia through a waiting portal back to this place where Colin would be unable to find her.
The plan seemed surprisingly viable yet Visha was doubtful, after all, what motivation did this stranger have in helping him. It was then that his fee was revealed. Visha needed return with not only Emalia but black makou as well. It would be delivered to him and he need only bring it through.
The bargain seemed fair enough and after the requisite threats from both sides to ensure loalty they agreed upon it. Halethiel cautioned him, "Know that you have one night only to reclaim your freedom. Do not waste it."
"Don't worry about that, I will do what is needed."
"This is going to hurt.", Halethiel warned, and as Visha steeled himself he thrust the dark heart directly into his chest, chanting a few arcane words as he did. "I will await your return, Visha. May your quest be unopposed." Satisfied with a successful implantation Visha nodded. "I'll make sure it is not."
The preperations complete, Halethiel dissolved the cabin seperating Colin with a single gesture. Then, with a simple snap of his fingers, they found themselves in normal sleep.
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.
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...
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