AN: This chapter is dedicated to Syahsyira who asked the hard questions. Here is your answer.
Never Gone
Chapter Six:
Fix You
Ryu was agitated. Up with the dawn, he moved across the inner courtyard, walking through stance after stance, hoping the movements would calm him. The morning air held a chill that penetrated his bones with each grateful breath. It felt so good to breath. He sucked it in greedily. It rushed through him. But, he was still agitated.
There was a time when he was rarely agitated. There was a time when he was the opposite of fire: he was ice; calm, collected, in control. It was necessary. Proximity to the purifying light of the Golden Crystal coupled with discipline and vigilance in regards to his passions; it kept him sane, kept him in control, kept him safe.
Yet, today, he was agitated. He felt restless, nervous, anxious; something was stirring in him, and he was not certain he liked it. He needed to focus. He had tried to meditate. For the last day, when he was not with Rei—separated by the many paper walls on the Temple he now called home (he would not break tradition!)—he was in the Room of the Sacred Fire, meditating. But, meditation was slowly beginning to become obsolete. It would not calm the churning in his soul.
This churning had begun as a small pricking. It had started the day he arrived. It had pinched hard when he attacked the Temple Boy—what was his name again? Ryu shook his head. He didn't want to think about that. He did not attack Temple Boys. But Yoichiro's bandaged nose reminded him time and again that he had. He had attacked the poor boy without warning and beaten him mercilessly, and for what? Jealousy. That was not like him.
That was like the other him.
Fear prickled at the back of Ryu's mind at the thought. The black fire was gone, he reminded himself. He was safe. He was near the Sacred Fire. He was reconciled with Endymion. He was safe. He was free.
The trembling in his hands as he moved into the next stance declared all too clearly that he was afraid. He looked at his fingers in contempt, willing them to stop shaking. When they did not, he clenched his fists and struck out against his invisible enemies. He needed to calm down.
"Wow." Mamoru's smooth voice broke into his silence.
Ryu started. He had not heard his liege approach nor had he felt his presence. That very factor put him on edge.
Mamoru was relaxed as he walked further into the court yard. He was dressed for a run. "I haven't seen you this restless in a while," he commented lightly. He stopped by a large rock placed in perfect zen positioning to bring harmony to the clearing, and there, he toed off his shoes. Ryu watched him cautiously; he was not sure why but Mamoru's presence was making him nervous. He need not be wary of his liege, but he was. Mamoru, for his part, took no notice. He simply bent down to pull off his socks, and, as he stood, fingers gripping the edges of his shirt, he smirked and said, "I think the last time you were like this was the day you proposed to Lady Mars."
Their minds took them back to that moment; to a time on the edges of darkness, a mere few weeks before the end of all things…
Jadeite paced in front of the golden alter, his crimson robes billowing in his wake, his hands clasped behind his back, then his front, and then his back again. He shook them, rubbed his hands together, clenched and unclenched his fists, and clasped them behind his back again.
What had he done? How could he be so foolish? He had let his passions get the better of him, and now, all they had worked for was in jeopardy because of him! But he could not—would not!—take it back. How could he? He gave her his name. There was no going back.
"You are distracted, my friend."
Jadeite spun around. "Prince Endymion!" he exclaimed in surprise.
Endymion grinned wryly. "Jadeite," the young prince of Terra greeted as he paused at the steps leading to the Alter of Fire. He would not traipse upon sacred ground, prince or not. Thus, he waited for Jadeite to come to him.
The Shittenou of the South descended quickly to kneel respectfully at his lord's feet. When he rose, Endymion spoke. "Kuzon claims you are not yourself."
Jadeite repressed a frown. Of course, his vigilant servant would not be ignorant of his mood.
"I take it, by your silence, he is correct," Endymion concluded.
"I…" Jadeite hesitated. How was he to explain himself to the one who had given him freedom? One look at Endymion's trusting blue eyes drove away his doubt. He could never keep secrets from him. "I fear I have done something most disastrous."
"Disastrous?" Endymion inquired with a raised eyebrow. "I presume you are exaggerating."
"I fear not."
"Explain."
Jadeite steeled himself. Shoulders back, he faced his master and confessed, "I have become betrothed to the Lady Mars." The words echoed around him like a dream. It was still so fresh, so new, that he wondered if it could be true. He waited patiently for Endymion's reaction. What he received was most unexpected.
Endymion clasped him on the shoulders and exclaimed, "That is fantastic!"
Jadeite was taken aback even as Endymion embraced him with a laugh. "My liege?"
"Good man!" Endymion continued. "I was certain, most certain, your heart was captivated by her. I am very happy for you. When is the day?"
"Uh…" Jadeite fumbled for words. He had been expecting to defend his actions and work with his lord on damage control, not receive words of blessing and well wishes. "Tomorrow."
"So soon?" Endymion questioned. "Dear man, that is not enough time for an event such as this. The first wedding between a Terrian Noble and Alliance Royalty!"
"My liege," Jadeite cut in before his lord could continue.
It was then that Endymion saw the depths of Jadeite nerves. The elation he felt for his friend's good fortune dimmed in the light of concern. "What is it?"
Jadeite lowered his voice. "No one is aware of our coming union," he whispered. "And no one must know."
For a moment, confusion passed through Endymion's eyes, but as they stood in silence, the truth sank deep. Endymion stepped back, eyes wide, the severity of the situation finally dawning in his mind. "You have not broached the Alliance on this matter."
Jadeite shook his head.
"This is an Order ceremony," Endymion continued.
Jadeite nodded and lowered his head. "I have bound myself to her as she has bound herself to me…in the most powerful of ways."
"A naming ceremony," Endymion breathed in wonder.
Again, Jadeite could only nod. "Now you understand," he whispered. "In a moment of weakness, I have placed all of our plans in peril. Should the Alliance find out…"
He was cut off by Endymion's strong hands on his shoulders. "The Alliance will not find out," Endymion assured him. "The Order is separate of the Alliance, correct?"
"It is," Jadeite agreed.
Endymion smiled and slapped his friend's shoulder. "Then you are safe. Your priests are loyal to you, as are, I am sure, Lady Mar's maidens. None will betray you." Endymion looked him in the eyes, emphasizing, "None."
Jadeite felt himself relaxing, his fears drifting away as they always did in the presence of Endymion's optimism. "Thank you, my lord."
"Promise me this," Endymion said as he let go.
"Anything."
"When our alliance with the Silver Millennium is complete, you will formally approach the King of Mars for the Lady Mar's hand."
"Of course."
Endymion grinned. "Then we may truly celebrate."
Mamoru draped his shirt over the rock and stepped out onto the cool stone, stopping once he was before Jadeite. There, he took a ready stance. "Care to tell me what is bothering you?"
Ryu look his master over. He did not wish to fight him. It brought up too many memories. But, if it was his master's wish…and, besides, he was free. He would be fine…right?
"Wrong…"
He ignored the whispering doubt. It would not be like before. He was in control.
The something stirred.
He slid into his beginning stance. As he did, he confessed, "I beat up the Temple Boy."
The spar began. Mamoru struck first, testing his opponent, looking for weak points. It had been so long since he sparred and even longer since he fought the man before him. Then, he had not been so strong, so aware of his skills or who he was or what he, himself, was capable of becoming. Back then, things had been different. Here, now, they would be even. "Why did you do that?" It was not a question asked in judgment or accusation.
Something flashed through Ryu's eyes. Anger stirred in his heart as he thought back to that moment only a day past. "He looked at Rei."
"Not a good reason," Mamoru advised.
"I understand that," Ryu admitted as he ducked under Mamoru's kick. He danced to the side. "But it does not change the fact that it happened."
"Did you hurt him?"
"I broke his nose."
"Is that all?" Mamoru teased.
"Thankfully," Ryu said. "I think I was trying for his arms."
"Harsh," Mamoru concluded, continuing with the teasing.
Ryu's eyes flashed as he launched a combination of kicks and punches. "No one touches what is mine."
Mamoru blocked the attacks with ease. They separated for a moment. His arms stung. He shook them, looking up at Ryu as he did. Something was wrong. It was subtle, hidden, slithering beneath the pulsing purity of the Temple, but it was there. Something that simmered, that caused the shadow cast by his friend to deepen and the air around them to sizzle. It was this something that had woken him in the early hours of the morning and drove him to seek out his freed general. It had been a mystery; now, it was a reality. Still, even as he prepared for the next assault, he hoped he was wrong.
"So," Mamoru began, searching for the right words to draw out the threat. "Is Yoichiro ok with you living here after what happened?"
An arrogant grin twisted Ryu's face into something frighteningly familiar. "The boy doesn't remember," he jeered. Mamoru's heart sank at the sound. "Kuzon erased his memory."
"Kuzon?" The name caught Mamoru off guard, leaving him prone to attack. Ryu took the advantage, attacking Mamoru's left side—his weaker side—with a high kick. Mamoru only just barely blocked.
The temper dissipated; the shadow lightened; the air stilled for a moment as Ryu's face lit into a smile, "Yes! Kuzon was reborn, here, as Rei's grandfather! Isn't that fantastic? My priest is here!"
"That is," Mamoru whispered, distracted. If Kuzon was here, he would need his help. Using the pause in combat to his advantage, Mamoru reached out with his mind, searching for that trail of magic he hoped he would recognize. Kuzon had always been Jadeite's most loyal servant. He hoped the old priest would sense his call and come quickly.
"What are you doing?" The question was sincere, but the shadow darkened.
"Hm," Mamoru played innocent. "He is here." A ripple of magic brushed his mind. Kuzon had felt him and was coming.
The air began to simmer. Ryu's blue eyes flashed. "Of course he is," he said, his tone darkening into something else. "He is my priest. Always loyal."
A rush of magic warned Mamoru. He returned his focus to the present.
Ryu was smirking, his hand raised, dark green fire in his fist. "Until he isn't," he finished with a sneer.
Kuzon was hurrying now. Mamoru felt him getting closer.
Ryu stepped forward. "Did you know, my lord," he began, dark mockery in his tone. "That my little priest betrayed me."
"What?"
Hino-san appeared at the edges of the courtyard. His old face was pale. He had heard the last bit.
"Oh yes," Ryu taunted as he took another step and another, the fire growing in his hand. His eyes narrowed, the artic blue churning into a vortex of hate. "You told them," he hissed, glaring, focused solely on the trembling man.
"No," Hino-san whispered.
"Do not lie to me!" Ryu scream.
It happened so fast. They had reached their destination, a place hidden among boulders and trees high above the enemy's territory. The perfect place to spy. Jadeite ordered his men to their posts. They disappeared into the trees; ghosts, blending into the land, never truly there.
And then it happened…
Kuzon stumbled into the clearing. "Master!" he gasped, blood dribbling down his chin. He collapsed into Jadeite's startled arms. His face was a mask of bruises and blood as he struggled to speak. "Run!"
Jadeite's eyes widened.
And the world slowed down.
Black magic filled the void. The screams of his men drew him to his feet. As he turned, their bodies fell one by one, in gushers of blood, to the unstained ground. The Special Forces, his soldiers, the best Terra had to offer, dead. So fast…it happened so fast…
Kuzon trembled on the ground, sobs wracking his beaten body. "I'm sorry!" he begged. "I'm so sorry!"
Jadeite turned back around. What was he sorry for?
A man in grey appeared before him. Long brown hair flew like a mane around his head as he descended. For a moment, Jadeite was caught in confusion. "Nephrite?"
No…the magic was all wrong…this was not his brother.
A cold smirk twisted this creature's face. It raised its hand.
And the world went black.
Ryu yelled, the rage of thousands of lifetimes echoing from the depths of his soul, as he lunged at the frozen priest. "I will kill you!"
Kuzon did not move even as the blazing heat of his master's rage drew near. He would not move. It was what he deserved. He closed his eyes and waited.
Golden light erupted throughout the clearing.
Ryu shrieked and fell back in pain.
A peace fell over Kuzon's mind, freeing him for a moment from the memories and the guilt that held him captive. It called him to the present, to this moment, where a voice he knew from eons passed was commanding him…
"Prepare the room!" Endymion bellowed as he stood over Jadeite. The purifying power of the Golden Crystal rolled off of him in all-consuming waves. Here, now, he was the Master of Terra.
Kuzon bowed low and hurried to do as he was told.
Jadeite watched him go, a cackle ripping from his lips. "You are only delaying the inevitable," he said. Glancing up through parted fingers, he hissed, "I will kill him."
Endymion narrowed his eyes. "I knew it was you."
Jadeite cackled again. "Well done, little Prince. You figured it out."
Endymion was not intimidated. He stepped forward, his power heavy in the air, a crushing weight to those of evil hearts. Jadeite coughed through his hackles and pulled into himself, a futile attempt to hide from the light. Voice thick with authority, Endymion said, "You have no power here."
"On the contrary," Jadeite hissed, braving the light again through the shield of hands and fingers to meet Endymion's eyes. "His heart is mine."
"He is free!" Endymion countered.
Jadeite barked a laugh, gleeful even in burning aura of the boy-prince. "Did you think one incarnation would do it?" The creature howled in delight. "Naive boy! Beryl broke my chains." His face twisted into a sneer as he said, "I have been free for eons. And I will not go back."
"We will see," Endymion growled. Anger like none he had felt in this lifetime churned in his heart. This creature would not steal away another of that which he loved. Not this time. Summoning his sword to his hand, he prodded the beast. "Get up."
Trapped beneath the light of the Golden Crystal, the creature in Jadeite's body had no choice but to obey. "It will not be so easy this time," it hissed.
"Be silent," Endymion ordered. He stepped forward. The creature stepped back. Endymion stepped again. He creature retreated. It was an all too easy process. He forced the monster to go where he wanted. If it diverted, Endymion prodded it back into place with his blade.
"I know where it is you are going," it growled. "And you will not succeed."
"I commanded you to silence," Endymion reminded.
The creature sneered. "It will not be like it was then. You will not so easily trap me."
Endymion remembered all too clearly that day for which the creature spoke. The day he had found Jadeite, known then as Ko, surrounded by the burning central village of the Southern Kingdom.
Flames leapt, as if alive, wild with a lust to consume. The villagers ran; mothers covering screaming children, shielding them from the fires. The men tried to corner the culprit, but it only spewed fire at them. Yet, even as the men yelled in outrage and in pain, the fire took no lives, almost under a command to spare even as it destroyed.
Endymion watched this all from atop his horse. The Crystal was pulsing in his hands. His heart was racing with the pull of his final Shittenou. He could feel him. He was so near.
The fires parted. A boy, wild in appearance, with the most intense blue eyes the boy-prince had ever seen, stood before them. His heart leapt. It was him! He was the one. But something was wrong. Endymion could feel it in the magic around them. The boy was causing the fire, but something else was in control.
The boy looked up at him in confusion and then outrage. Fire erupted from his hands, and, with an animalistic cry, he attacked.
Endymion knew what he had to do. Dismounting from his rearing horse, he withdrew the Golden Crystal, and raised it high. His poured all of his soul into the gem. The world was consumed with golden energy.
And the creature controlling the boy let go with a shriek. Endymion concentrated. He did not want to see this thing again. He had little time. The power of the Crystal would drain him if he did not work fast. He tried to rip the creature out completely, but an ancient knowledge descended on him even as he pulled—a knowledge from kings past who had held the crystal. And he knew he could not destroy the creature. But he could trap it. He forged chains of purest energy and bound the thing of darkness, trapping it in the farthest reaches of this boy's soul.
The light faded. The world returned. And the boy collapsed against him, weak and trembling and crying, begging his forgiveness. Endymion held him, and as he did, he knew that this was not the end. The chains would hold only if the boy remained near. Looking down at the blond child, he swore…
…never to let the creature win.
Endymion narrowed his eyes, determination rushing through his midnight gaze. "I stopped you once, I'll stop you again."
The creature cackled, but it lacked its arrogant luster. Endymion grinned. The creature was not so immune to the powers of their destination. "You are mistaken," it said. "I am much stronger than I was then."
"As am I," Endymion said. And he prodded the beast again. "Move."
THIS IS A BREAK IN THE SCENE. THIS IS A BREAK IN THE SCENE.
The Temple shook with powerful magic. Those who held no trace of the ancient ways in their hearts quickly fled the grounds. The sparse few who lingered felt a stirring in their souls, as if a distant memory were trying to break free. Slowly, one by one, they gave into the urge to flee. One day, perhaps, these few would remember—remember the lives they lived as part of a great empire soon to be reborn in future years—but for now, they returned to their normal lives; lives that would slowly become not so normal as the time of destiny drew near.
Soon, the only one left standing in the midst of the Temple grounds was Yoichiro. Pure will kept him in place, though he so badly wanted to leave. He made it so far as the stairs before he stopped. He would not abandon this place even if things got weird. So, he stood, a guard at the stairs, refusing to move…
…until an unearthly shriek pierced the air. Then, Yoichiro ran down the stairs, telling himself he was looking for the police. He refused to admit his own cowardice.
THIS IS A BREAK IN THE SCENE. THIS IS A BREAK IN THE SCENE.
Rei covered her ears. She didn't want to hear it anymore. It was too much. She cursed the sacred laws binding her to hide while her soul mate was in pain. She felt it through their bond, the stirring of the darkness. It had come like a flood, rushing through her, taunting her, tormenting her with the though of losing him again. She had nearly run to the courtyard, nearly forsaken her vows, nearly thrown it all to the wind…
Had Mamoru not arrived, she would have broken.
But the power of the Golden Crystal gave her strength. Thus, she remained in her room, sitting on her bed, a pillow against her chest, and her hands over her ears.
She would not listen.
THIS IS A BREAK IN THE SCENE. THIS IS A BREAK IN THE SCENE.
"No!" the darkness howled. "No! Do not put me in there!"
Kuzon watched from the side as Endymion forced the struggling creature into the Room of the Sacred Fire.
"No!" it begged, no longer the arrogant beast that had threatened him in the courtyard. "Kuzon!" Kuzon's heart twisted at the sound of his name. This is not my master, he reminded himself. This is the darkness. The darkness. The—
"Kuzon, please!" it cried. Kuzon gripped the doorway. It sounded so much like his master. "Please!" it begged again. "He'll kill me! Please!"
"Seal the door!" Endymion ordered.
Kuzon kept his head down. He did not want to see this. He gripped the doors with white knuckle resolve and slowly drew them closed. As the room became blocked by white paper and magic, Kuzon chanced a look. Endymion was grappling with the darkness wearing his master's face. The once and future king held the monster at bay, yet it still reached out, its eyes wide, its face drawn and covered in sweat; it looked so human. And it still begged him.
"Kuzon!"
He closed the doors.
With trembling hands, he placed a paper seal on the seam and closed his eyes, chanting the spell needed to seal them in. The rest would be up to Endymion.
Muffled screams came from beyond. "I'm sorry," Kuzon whispered, tears squeezing through his clenched eyelids. He slid to the wooden floor, his face turned to the ground, buried in his hands; he sobbed, "I'm so sorry!"
The nameless thing wearing Lord Nephrite's face dragged him into the torture chamber and threw him to the unfeeling ground. "Look," the thing commanded. "Look upon the one who betrayed you."
Kuzon cowered on the ground. He did not want to look. He did not want to…
"Kuzon?" his master whispered in disbelief.
Kuzon turned. The sight that met him wrenched a sob from his throat. His great and powerful master was held in chains high for the enemy to see. Blood marred his face, carved merciless trails down his arms, his torso, his legs, and dripped from his feet to the ground…a puddle formed so close to where he lay. Kuzon reached for the blood, not believing it to be real, yet the feel of the thick, sticky, warm life fluid broke him.
"It was too easy to break him." It was not a gloat. It was a statement of fact.
Kuzon did not move, did not try to defend himself, did not plead for mercy; he simply stared at the blood. He had done this. He had…
Kuzon screamed. He screamed out his pain. He screamed out his guilt. He screamed to drown out the screams of his master from within. He simply screamed.
THIS IS A BREAK IN THE SCENE. THIS IS A BREAK IN THE SCENE.
The Room of the Sacred Fire was a vortex of power. The Golden Crystal mixed with the ancient fire that leapt in its grate. Gold and red swirled around them, trapping them, forcing them to duel until destiny chose a victor.
The creature howled in pain. The ancient forces united against him burned him. The purifying energies ripped at it, penetrating its very core, burning through all that it was. All the hatred, anger, envy, rage…all the sins of the universe, allowed to run free for eons were being consumed by the most holy of energies. It drained the creature of its powers. It howled in outrage and fear.
And over the din, Endymion called out, "Ko!"
"No!" The creature refused to let the boy speak.
Endymion pushed forward, through the winds and energies to his dear friend trapped in the darkness that was the Terrian Fire that Consumed. "Ko!" he called again.
The creature grabbed its head. "No!" it growled again. "No! I will not be trapped! I won't!" It struggled against the magic binding it. Throwing its head back, it howled, "I won't!"
Endymion focused the power of the Golden Crystal. He could feel his energy waning. This was a powerful state, one he had never achieved, but the righteous anger coursing through him at the sight of his friend in such a state fuelled him. "Ko!"
The creature winced, stumbled, and swayed. Then, suddenly, clear eyes looked up. "Endy…mion…" he whispered. Endymion stepped closer. Ko winced and curled in on himself. His body swayed dangerously. "It…hurts!" he gasped.
"I know," Endymion soothed. Hands raised, he took another tentative step forward. "Ko, stay with me."
"It hurts," Ko whispered again. Tears rimmed his eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't—ah!" He fell to his knees and moaned, "No…"
His face twisted into a snarl, "I won't let go!"
He jerked his head, eyes clenched, the struggle evident on his face. "Stop it!" Ko commanded.
Endymion quickly knelt in front of his friend. "Ko," he whispered.
Ko gasped for air, the heat and the pain and the struggle making it hard to breathe. Sweat poured from his skin. "Endymion…I didn't…I didn't know…"
"Of course you did, boy!" the creature snarled. "You felt me returning! You knew—"
"No!" Ko cried.
Endymion grabbed his shoulders even as the creature hissed, "You knew this would happen! That's why you refused to allow us to be reborn!"
"Ko!" Endymion tried to get his attention. "You have to focus! Ko, look at me!"
Ko screamed in pain, his head falling forward. He whimpered, trembling, weak and afraid.
"Ko, I'm here," Endymion said firmly.
"What good can you do?" the creature sneered, sending a glare up at Endymion.
"I'm here!" Endymion said again. "Don't listen to it, listen to me. Look at me!"
Ko wrenched his head up, his eyes locking with his lord's. Endymion stared in wonder for a moment at the battle playing out in those eyes. His brother was fighting with all his might. This was a battle he had been fighting from the moment he was born; a battle that raged through his blood as he grew; a battle he lost the day Beryl captured him.
"Endymion," Ko whispered, eons of pain, of guilt, of fear pouring out of his soul with each word. "Help me."
He had sworn.
Grabbing the base of his head firmly, Endymion forced Ko to focus on him. "Look at me," he commanded. "Solely at me."
Ko gasped for air and looked deep into his master's eyes. Endymion summoned all his strength, drawing the vortex close around them. It swirled and howled and battled for the soul of the Keeper of the Terrian Flame. This battle would end. Endymion would see it end.
Ko cried out in pain, breaking eye contact. Endymion felt his neck tense, his head jerk; the creature was trying to take control.
"Ko!"
"No!" the creature begged.
"Focus!"
Ko forced his eyes open.
"Stay with me," Endymion ordered. "Stay. With. Me!"
Ko nodded against his master's hold.
"We are going to win this," Endymion said. "Focus on me."
The battle raged in his eyes. Still, he focused. He focused on the midnight blue of his master's eyes; eyes that never judged him. A master that fully accepted him. A master that had saved him.
"But he abandoned you to Beryl!" the creature howled in his head.
"No," Ko whispered. Memories of his time at the hands of Beryl's forces raced through his mind, memories of torture, of darkness, of death inching closer…but through it all, he remembered, he always remembered….in the darkness and solitude and torture and pain, he could feel him. Endymion had always been there. And, looking into his master's eyes, he knew he would never abandon him.
"Ko." Endymion commanded his full attention. "My dear brother." They leaned against each other, forehead to forehead in the center of the vortex, united in strength and purpose.
They would win.
"Tell me your name."
Ko's eyes went wide. "What?"
"No!"
Endymion looked straight into his soul. "Tell me your name. Bind yourself to me!"
Strength flooded Ko's soul. He reached up, gripping Endymion's hands, and drinking in his presence. The creature thrashed and clawed and howled and cursed, trying, desperately trying to stop the words that were forming in Ko's heart. The boy—chosen millennia ago to bear the greatest burden—looked at the one who had always saved him, and declared, "I am Suzaku!"
The vortex erupted around them. The bond that had been forged so long ago reopened with vigor, allowing the magic that formed the very foundations of the universe to pour in. The creature shrieked in of purity bound it and dragged it deep into the darkness of Suzaku's soul, never to be released.
And then, it was over.
The Room of the Sacred Fire was still. The fire burned in the grate as if nothing had happened.
But, in the middle of the room, the single witness to the greatest struggle in the history of Terra sat holding the bearer of Terra's flame as the Phoenix Lord poured out eons of pain through heavy tears.
They had won. They had finally won.
AN: I love this chapter! I am so glad it turned out so good! Ok, sorry about the wait, everyone, I've been busy. Had a couple contracted projects taking my time. Paid work or writing for fun...hard decision. Anyway, Hope you liked it. Reviews are love!