Chapter 4: Facing the Future

She-Ra gasped in shock and her jaw dropped in disbelief. "Dying? You can't be dying!"

"I can and I am," Light Hope said in a disturbingly relaxed tone.

"How could this be happening" She-Ra shouted. "Who could have done this to you and how? There has to be a way to reverse this!"

"She-Ra please, calm yourself."

"How can I be calm? You just told me someone or something is killing you!"

Light Hope spoke slowly and steadily, trying to console her. "No, that is not what I said. I told you that I am dying. No one is responsible. This is not some villain attack my friend. I am dying of natural causes."

She-Ra seemed to calm down a bit but she was still understandably shaken. "But you're a being of pure light and energy. How can you be dying of natural causes. Energy can't be destroyed."

"But it can dissipate," Light Hope explained. "I understand that to a being such as yourself, looking on me it is easy to assume I am immortal. That I will always be present. That is not the case however. Though as an energy being I live a life that lasts for centuries, just as the stars in the sky eventually burn themselves out, so too is my time limited."

She-Ra said nothing for a long time. Light Hope's words had helped her understand nevertheless it was hard to accept. Light Hope had been there for her almost from the start of her time with the Rebellion. He was a close friend, a confidant, and wise mentor figure. Imagining a life without his presence anymore was something that she just couldn't wrap her mind around.

"You are certain there is no way to avoid this," she said.

"I am," Light Hope said. "In truth I have cheated death once already when I became as I am. Long ago I had a body. I was of a race very similar to your own. I watched over Etheria, protecting it with all my power. As I grew old though my strength and abilities began to slow. Enemies were quick to take advantage of this. When I became mortally wounded in battle I had my allies help me to transform my essence into the form you have always known me in. As such I was able to continue to watch over Etheria. But even then I knew that this would not sustain me forever. There is no way for me to return to the flesh, nor is there another form I can take. When my energy finally burns out I will pass on.

She-Ra wiped her eyes which were tearing up and finally asked. "How much time do you have left?"

"I cannot be certain," Light Hope replied after a thought. "It may be a few weeks or I might hold out for several months yet. I am relatively sure however that I will not survive the year."

She-Ra sat down on the castle floor as her legs no longer would support her. "I can't believe this. It just doesn't seem right."

"Do not pity me She-Ra," Light Hope said softly. "I have lived a long and fulfilling life. My only real regret is that I was not able to help you see an end to this war. Though perhaps in my death there is a way I can achieve that."

"What do you mean"

"When I go the Crystal Castle will be without a keeper. I have no heir, no successor to take over my position after I depart this world. That is the reason I have asked you to come here today."

"You want me to help you find someone to take your place?" She-Ra asked.

Light Hope actually laughed at this. "Do not be so modest She-Ra. I have already found my successor. I would like you to replace me as keeper of the castle."

"What?"

"Consider this my last will and test and testament," Light Hope said. "I leave everything I have and own to you. The Crystal Castle would be yours to live in and with it the mystical powers therein would be at your disposal."

She-Ra couldn't believe her ears. "You're serious. Why me? Surely there must be someone better suited for such a responsibility."

"I can think of no one more worthy," Light Hope said firmly. "You have already proved yourself as Etheria's protector Having the power of the castle at your disposal would only serve to aid you in that endeavor. You would be able to watch over and communicate with the entire planet, and all the hidden knowledge contained in these mystic walls would be yours."

"But how can I protect Etheria from here?"

"You would not be bound and unable to leave the castle," Light Hope explained. "The only reason I remain here at all times is that I lack a physical body to depart with. Becoming keeper of the castle would not turn you into an energy being. You will stay as you are just with more power at your disposal. Trust me She-Ra you have nothing to loose and stand only to gain from this."

"But, what about my family?"

"The castle will be your home She-Ra. You're family is welcome to live here with you. In fact, this would be a good place to raise your children. Within the castle walls they would be safely shielded from the war outside. You would need not worry about them falling victim to the Horde."

"That's true," She-Ra said. "But I was also thinking about after the war. You know my ultimate goal is to return to my family on Eternia once the war with the Horde is finished."

"When that time comes you may choose someone else to watch over the castle in your absence, Once the war is over it will be safe to leave the castle without a warrior guardian but as long as the Horde is present I would feel better knowing you are here to protect it."

"This is all happening so fast," She-Ra said rubbing her forehead. "I'm not sure I can do this. I need time to think. And I should really talk to Sea Hawk, my husband, about this. My decision would affect both of our lives."

"Of course," Light Hope agreed. "This is a heavy burden to put upon you so suddenly. By all means take some time to consider my offer. Just let me know your decision as soon as possible. If you decide to accept my offer I would like to have time to properly train you in the ways of the castle before I pass on. I want you to know though that this offer is a request only. I cannot and would not ever force you to do this. I don't want you to feel you have any obligation to me."

She-Ra nodded though despite what he said she did feel somewhat obligated to honor his final wishes. After all he had done for her and the Rebellion how could she refuse?

"Etheria is approaching a change of generations," Light Hope said. "No matter what happens, you and your children will determine the future. The choice is yours."

Shadow Weaver floated her way into Hordak's chamber, moving slowly so as not to spill from the goblet in her hands. Hordak did not seem to notice her presence but remained sitting hunched over a table on which he had spread out the scroll Rac-Con had stolen for him.

"Lord Hordak, I have your..." she began but stopped as she suddenly noticed that Hordak was not lost in study as she had initially thought. Rather his eyes were shut and his breath was slow and steady with an occasional nasal snort.

Asleep in the middle of the day? Shadow Weaver thought. That's not like him. Perhaps he's worse off than he led me to believe. She was about to wake him when her eyes fell upon the scroll.

This is... she set the goblet down and examined the parchment closer. It cannot be. How could he have acquired it?

"I don't appreciate you prying into my affairs Weaver," Hordak said slowly in a low tone. Weaver backed up with a start as Hordak stretched slightly and cricked his neck. Clearly he had been asleep a moment ago, therefore she decided to defend herself before he was fully awake and alert enough to strike out with any punishment.

"I did not mean to intrude Lord Hordak. I simply was bringing you your medicinal potion and couldn't help but notice that which you had been studying."

Hordak nodded and took a drink from the potion before saying anything. "Luckily, this is nothing I feel I need keep secret from you. You already know of my plans for Horde Prime and have yet to give me any indication that you plan to betray me to him. Nevertheless, I would advise you not to speak to anyone else about what you see before you. If word somehow reached Prime that this was now in my possession his wrath would rain down upon us all most swiftly."

Shadow Weaver gulped. "Then I was right? That really is the genuine prophecy? Not some recreation or decoy?"

"Yes," Hordak grinned. "This is indeed the actual prophecy. The original parchment upon which was recorded the foreshadowed means at which Horde Prime will meet his ultimate fate."

"But how did you come to have it?" Shadow Weaver asked in awe. Horde Prime keeps it in a location no one knows about and has fakes made up to deceive any would be thieves."

"Yes, it was most difficult and expensive to come by," Hordak admitted. "It took weeks just to learn of its location then I had to find someone who could go in and get it for me. Fortunately, I was able to take advantage of my recent secret alliance with Lord Strifeton to that end."

"A dangerous gamble if I may say so,"Shadow Weaver cautioned. "Strifeton is quite crafty and not to be trusted."

Hordak shrugged. "I would never completely trust someone who overthrew his king just to keep a man he hated from marrying the king's daughter. Still, as crafty and sinister as he is, Strifeton does consider himself something of a nobleman among villains. His word is his bond and he has pledged to support me and not Prime, provided the Horde makes no attempt to conquer his empire."

"You may actually want to keep up your end of the bargain there," Shadow Weaver muttered. "People you betray have a nasty habit of causing no end of problems for us."

"If you're referring to Skeletor, I plan on dealing with him permanently in due time."

"Yes there's him. And there's Road Queen. I trust you heard about what happened earlier today."

Hordak nodded. "Vultak was not a huge loss, but it could very well be someone important next time. And considering I've had Dragstor searching for years with no luck, I think it's safe to say we are never going to find her brother so she's not about to let up."

"Honestly I think it's safe at this point to say he's dead."

"Do you want to be the one to tell Road Queen that?"

"So getting back to the prophecy," Shadow Weaver said, quickly changing the subject, "I fail to see why you needed to get the original scroll. You already know what it says don't you?"

"I had to be sure of the exact original wording," Hordak said before swallowing the rest of his potion. "As I had come to suspect, my initial interpretation was not entirely accurate. It seems there is a different way for me to bring it about."

"Excellent!" Shadow Weaver gloated. "Does that mean we can finally stop holding back and get rid of Adora once and for all?"

Hordak said nothing but merely glared at Shadow Weaver with displeasure while crushing the metal goblet in his bare hand.

"I'll take that as a no."

"He's really dying?" Sea Hawk asked in shock.

Adora sighed and nodded. Upon returning from the Crystal Castle she had gone straight to speak with him about the situation at hand. She hadn't told anyone else the grim news yet and had not even spoken to anyone she passed in the hallways of Bright Moon. Not even Road Queen, who had apparently decided not to leave after all. Though, judging by the look on her face, she was still angry and riled up from their argument earlier.

"What should I do Hawk? Adora asked. I didn't feel right making this decision without consulting you since it would shape the future of our family."

"I'll support any decision you make," Hawk said. "but if you really want my opinion I say you should agree to his request."

"You came to that decision rather fast," Adora said. "Any particular reason?"

"Well, aside from the fact that Light Hope is a good friend and we should respect his last wishes, he's right. Having the power of the Crystal Castle at your command would prove an asset in the war against the Horde. That's not to say we stand to benefit from Light Hope's death, of course. No his passing will prove a major blow to us all. The loss of his wisdom and guidance will prove most tragic, but as there is no way to avoid it, the least we can do is carry on his legacy. If you become his successor then in a way Light Hope will continue to live on through you."

Adora stared at her new husband with a look of awe and admiration. "I'm impressed Hawk. I didn't realize you could be so deep and philosophical."

"I have my moments," Hawk laughed.

"I'm still having my doubts though," Adora sighed. "It's not so much that I don't think I should do this, it's I don't know if I can. Reina's right, I do have trouble facing the future."

Sea Hawk sat down on the bed beside Adora and began gently rubbing her shoulders in a relaxing massage. "Then let's not think about the future for a while. Put it off till tomorrow. Tonight let's just think about the present."

"What do you mean?"

"Not to sound selfish, but here we are a newlywed couple and we haven't really had any time alone together in days. Just for one night can we forget everything else? No thoughts of war and death. No worries about the future, let's just concentrate on here and now."

As Hawk spoke his voice got slower and softer. He leaned in closer and closer to Adora until finally their lips met. Adora didn't resist but let him kiss her. Then slowly but steadily she fell deeper into it, kissing back with uninhibited passion.

Within moments all thoughts of the day's events vanished from their minds. There was no thought given to what awaited them in the future. There was only the here and now. There was only that moment. And the moment was wonderful.

"These were the only volunteers?" Hordak snorted in displeasure.

"You're asking them to intentionally go up against She-Ra but not destroy her," Shadow Weaver shrugged. "I'm surprised you had anyone agree to this lunacy."

Hordak sneered at her remark but let it slide, partially because he knew she was correct. While he would have liked to have more warriors come forward, he was lucky to get the three he had. And in all truth the selection was a fine one. Dragstor the cybernetic speed demon, Leech the energy draining abomination, and Mosquitor the voracious blood sucking insectoid.

"You understand what is expected of you," Hordak said firmly. "It is vitally important that I have She-Ra brought to me. Why I need her is classified and I will not tolerate any prying into my private affairs. All you need know is there will be a substantial reward for the one who gets her here , regardless of how you do it. Any questions?"

"Regardlezzzz?" Mosquitor buzzed. "I can zzzzuck her dry then?"

"No!" Hordak shouted. "You are free to use whatever means necessary but I must have her alive and without any permanent damage. Understood?"

All three minions nodded. Though they didn't understand the why, they knew not to tempt the "or else".

"Any other questions" Hordak asked.

"Just one," Dragstor moaned pointing at Mosquitor. "Do I really have to work with this twisted freak?"

"You're not exzzzactly a prizzze yourzzzelf," Mosquitor snapped. The two Hordesmen glared at each other and probably would have exchanged blows had Hordak not shouted at them.

"Enough! I don't care if you work together or on your own. So long as She-Ra is brought to me and does not escape due to your petty bickering!"

Hordak shook his head. He had been afraid of this. Dragstor was one of his best warriors. Vastly powerful, strategically intelligent, and unquestionably loyal. But he did have one fault; he did not get along well with the other Hordesmen. In particular he absolutely hated Mosquitor. The two had gotten off on the wrong foot when they first met and had never gotten past it.

"How about any other rebels?" Leech grumbled.

Hordak nodded. "I really don't care what you do with them. Except of course for Adora. If you encounter her I still want her brought in alive. Otherwise you may use your own discretion. Now go."

The three warriors bowed and exited the room. Once they were gone Shadow Weaver spoke up again.

"So you're really going to go through with this then?"

"I'm not exactly relishing the thought," Hordak muttered. "But it will be well worth it if I can take care of multiple problems at once."

"You know what she's going to say," Weaver said rolling her eyes.

"I am prepared for that eventuality," Hordak said with a slight cough. "Even though the idea is disturbing to even my black heart. I must have an heir."

"I still don't see why her. I would gladly..."

"You do not meet the necessary criteria to fulfill the prophecy," Hordak cut in before coughing again, this time louder. "I must ensure the future of the Horde empire. Even if I am not present for the event, I must make sure Prime meets his fate. While there is still time," he added before lapsing into a long violent coughing fit.

In case you didn't guess by the way, Strifeton, Rac-Con, and Killer Chameleon are all original characters. We'll learn more about them later.