Chapter 25: Nightwish
Setting: Black Mountain Side
Characters: Parn / Deedlit / Pirotess / Shiris / Woodchuck / Etoh
After the defeat of Arbin, the group sets camp by the mountain side. The rain clouds are gone and a sky full of stars is above them. Parn and Woodchuck go to the forest to find wood to make the fire. Etoh just woke up from bein unconcious.
Finally Wood and Parn returns and they make the fire. Shiris came back from fishing and they have dinner. After dinner they sleep, tomorrow the journey comes to an end.
Setting: Dreamworld.
Pirotess is again on Kardis' altar and her life is already being drained. She can hear Wagnard maniac laugh and then she hears Ashrams voice.
Pirotess: (turning her head to see Ashram) My lord! (she speaks to herself)
Ashram and the evil wizard begin fighting. Wagnard uses his dark powers and sends Ashram to the air where he crashes on a wall.
Ashram: You think that Kardis has chosen you? She may be a goddess, but she's obviously quite mad!
That made Wagnard attack with more intensity, and after an instant he dorps him to the floor.
Pirotess: (still speaking to herself) This isn't happening, I was not here!
Wagnard: Soon I shall be granted eternal life! No one will interfere with me again!
Pirotess' eyes widened, that sounded terribly familiar to her.
Flashback
Parn raises the sword and Pirotess is thrown back against the wall. She shakes her head and gets up to charge him again. Parn stands as well and as she charges he rises to meet her. The swords clash, and Pirotess is thrown back.
Parn: Pirotess, where is the counter spell?
Pirotess: You think I would tell you? Even now your precious elf princess's life force is being siphoned into me. When the spell runs it's course I will possess an eternal life that will rival any high elf.
Another flashback
Deedlit: I want to say thank you.
Pirotess: Thank me? For what?
Deedlit: When Parn was knocked into the river with the leviathan, you were ready to jump in after him.
Pirotess: But I didn't, so why do you want to thank me?
Deedlit: Sometimes the intent is worth more than the deed.
End of flashback
Pirotess: (mentaly) What does this all means?
The battle continues and Wagnard makes Ashram fly though the air again, now, the battle could not be seen from where Pirotess was.
Pirotess: (mentaly) Why am I here?
Voice: (It's hollow yet demanding) You will open your eyes...
Pirotess: Who are you!?
An explosion is heard near the altar, she turns her head to se Wagnard turning his back against her, then she hears his maniatical laugh to what it seemed to be a crater.
Wagnard: What now? Can you no longer raise your hand against me? It's time to say goodbye to this world Ashram.
Pirotess: (mentaly) No...!
Wagnard: You'll go first. Say hello to your beloved emperor for me.
Ashram is levitating and now Pirotess can see him, she hears him scream in pain.
Pirotess: (mentaly) Please make it stop! I don't want to see this!
Ashram falls to the ground
Wagnard: Time to die!
Pirotess: (mentaly) NO!
Red energy comes out of Wagnard directly at Ashram but before it hits him Parn appears and blocks the energy, protecting Ashram.
Pirotess: (mentaly) Wha-? What is he doing?
Wagnard: What is it now, boy? You're trying to protect poor Ashram!?
Parn is knocked to the ground by Wagnards power. Pirotess sees Ashram sneack behing Wagnard and slashes his body. To that Wagnard keeps laughing. The laughter then becomes as screams of pain and then Wagnard is swallowed in a white light that comes from beneath him.
Pirotess sees Parn run to where she is but is suddenly blocked by Ashram, holding his sword. Parn and Ashram begin fighting. And then they lock swords.
Parn: Why do we have to fight each other!? If Kardis is reborn she will destroy Marmo as well as Lodoss!
Ashram: Light or Darkness. Between you and I, all will be decided!
Pirotess: (mentaly) My lord...? But, why...?
Parn and Ashram fight again. It's a fierce sword duel. But Ashram manages to knock the sword out of Panr and the knight falls to the ground. Ashram raises his sword over his head to deliver the deadly blow when, from hell itself, Wagnard grabs Ashram leg. Wagnard comes out of the light and fights Ashram again, using the rest of his power. Ashram then pierces through his body with the demon sword, but Wagnard keeps laughing. Wagnard puts his hands on Ashrams neck and begins to strangulate him. The, Wagnard falls to the groung, droping Ashram and Wagnard destroys the Scepter of Domination. Pirotess sees Ashram fall to the ground with blood comming from his mouth.
Pirotess: (mentaly) No, my lord!
Ashram is suddenly being swallowed by the ground.
The ground beneath them begins to break. Pirotess looks around and sees Parn running again to where she is. She sees how he jumps to where she is grabbing both sacred swords and screams.
Pirotess (mentaly) What is he doing?
Then a bright light illuminated everythin around her and she wakes up.
Setting: Black Mountain Side.
Pirotess awakes. She is sweating and feels tired, as if her life was indeed being drained. She gives Parn and Deedlit a quick look and then goes to the river nearby to bath herself, it was still not and it was still dark morning but she knew that she would not sleep again this night.
When she finishes, she sits on a big rock by the riverside and dryes her hair.
Pirtoess: (mentaly) What's wrong with that boy? I cannot understand him.
She hears someone comming. Out of the forest comes Deedlit and apparently does not notices that Pirotess is there. Pirotess stares at her and does not move or makes a sound.
Deedlit lays bottoms up by the riverside, looking at her reflection and the reflection of the stars on the river, creating small waves with her fingers and gives occasional sighs.
Pirotess: (mentaly) She must be thinking about that boy.
Deedlit rolls so he could see the sky and sighs again.
Deedlit: (whispering) Pirotess...
Pirotess: (confused) What?
Deedlit jumps from the ground and looks at her, startled.
Deedlit: I'm sorry, I did not know you were here.
She begins to leave and then turns.
Deedlit: (leaning to see her eyes) What are you doing here, anyway?
Pirotess: (not looking at her) Irrelevant.
Deedlit: You had a bad dream?
Pirotess: (still not looking) Not your business.
Deedlit: (sitting legs crossed beside Pirotess, still looking at her eyes) Because I had one, and it was about you and your people.
Pirotess finally looks at her. Deedlit smiles to herself and looks at the star again to begin her story.
Deedlit: Now I think I understand you. I now realize why you hate us so much and I don't blame you.
Pirotess: Why you say that?
Deedlit: I know it's strange but in my dream I was you.
Pirotess: (eyes wide open now) Me!?
Deedlit: Yes. My people made you suffer so much and I don't think that's fair. I know there is nothing I can say or do to make you feel bettet but I'm truly sorry (a tear escapes her eye and Pirotess notices).
Deedlit stands up and walks to the camp. Pirotess stays where she is, still confused, she eyes Deedlit walking away.
Pirotess: Deedlit!
Deedlit: (shocked by the mention of her name) Yes?
Pirotess: Asnwer me two questions. When you where in the altar of Kardis and your life was being drained, did you saw what was happening?
Deedlit: (sadness in her face by the memory) Yes...
Pirotess: When your knight fought against Ashram, did he won?
Deedlit: I already told you, Parn di not Ki-
Pirotess: Did Parn defeated Ashram before he rescued you!?
Deedlit: ... No, he did not. He was defeated by Ashram but it was Wagnard who killed the emperor.
Pirotess turned her head to the river, to that Deedlit walked to the camp again and fell asleep.
Pirotess: (mentaly) So it did happened like that?
Morning came and averybody began undoing the camp and placing all their belongings together.
Shiris: Now what?
Deedlit: We must enter the shrine.
Liara: Let's go, then.
Deedlit: No, Parn and me.
Parn: Yes, this one is for us alone. Thanks for being here with us, though.
The group begins to hug each other, exept for the dark elf who is just looking, and say their goodbyes.
Etoh: We will be waiting for you in Valis, then.
Deedlit: Yes, we will be there soon. Really, thanks for all your help. (she then looks at Pirotess who is examining her dagger and then back at her friends with a concerned look on her face) No, wait...!
Parn: What is it Deedlit?
The group stares at Deedlit. Deedlit looks at everyone and tears form in her eyes.
Parn: (concerned) Deed...!
Deedlit: I don't want to do it, Parn, I can't!
Pirotess: (stepping forward to Deedlit) Oh, but you have to. Elvish tradition.
Deedlit: No... please, don't...
Parn: Deedlit, you already told me how important it is for your people to go ther, so, let's go. What's wrong?
Deedlit's pleading eyes never left Pirotess.
Pirotess: Go. You know there is no time left.
Parn put his hand on Deedlit's waist and begins walking to the shrine, Deedlit keeps looking to where their friends are. The gates of the shrine closes as they enter. The group stares at the gates, still confused at Deedlit's behavior.
Shiris: What was that all about?
Liara: Why was she crying? I though this journey was because she wanted to..
Woodchuck: (unsheathing his dagger and looking at Pirotess) I think I know why...
The realization dawns an them all as they do the same. Pirotess turns her head from the gates to look at the group, now armed and smiles.
Pirotess: You know... that sword he has... it's been made by the fusion of both the holy sword and the demon sword... light and darness...
A dark cloud suddenly filled the sky and Pirotess unsheathes her sword as well...
Setting: The Dragoth Emblem Shrine
Parn and Deedlit walk through a tunnel, very dark, to what Deedlit calls the spirit of light but nothing happens, then she remembers that she cannot use those powers in this place.
Parn: Deedlit, what's wrong?
Deedlit opens her mouth to answer but is interrupted by a light that filled the room. Now the shrine was truly visible and they were in the middle of it.
The shrine is made with very white bricks, adorned with precious stones, small waterfals and plants. The shrine is huge that a big dragon coul've lived comfortably there. In the center of the shrine, in front of Parn and Deedlit was a big tree. Deedlit and Parn stepped back when they saw the huge tree in front of them.
Then, infront of the tree five spirots materialized, all five in the shape of a woman, one with red hair, one with blue hair, one with blonde hair, one with dark har and another one with white hair. All of them beautiful, all of them elfs.
White: (looking at Deedlit) Why are you crying?
Deedlit: Because my friends may be in danger...
Parn: (looking at Deedlit and realizing what she meant) Deed!
Dark: 'May' be in danger?
Blonde: If you are not sure whether or not they are in danger, why do you cry?
Deedlit: I don't want them to die!
White: But is not a certain thing that that will happen, is it?
Deedlit: Still...
Blue: Do you trust your friends?
Deedlit: Yes!
Red: Then why do you cry? Don't you trust that they can take care on their own?
Deedlit: But... against a dark elf...
Dark: Remeber that she cannot use her powers here...
Deedlit: Still.. she is a dark elf, she is powerful!
Blonde: Are you saying that a dark elf is better than humans?
Blue: Aren't you here to recieve our blessing to the child that will come from the union of you and one of those humans?
Parn: Yes, but we want to help our friends!
White: Silence human! This is not with you.
Blue: (speaking to Deedlit) Are you?
Deedlit: (starting to cry) ... Yes!
Dark: Then why are you crying?
Deedlit: Because I'm worried about my friends! I love them! They do whatever they can to help me and I'm not there to help them right now, that's why I'm crying!
White: We can look in your heart, you know that.
All the room remained in silence for a couple of minutes.
White: Fear not. Your child will be blessed by the elvish spirits. And that thing you're beggining to feel in your heart, make it grow, it could be the beginning of great things. We will help you aid your friends who are in great danger right now.
Deedlit: (smiling) Thank you! (she looks at Parn who is also smiling). Let's go!
They run to the gates of the shrine and exit. When they're out they saw Liara on the ground wounded.
Parn: (picks Liara's head and stares at her eyes) Liara! Are you OK?
Liara: (in a weak voice) I'm fine, Parn, go help the others...
Deedlit and Parn runs to where a dark red light could be seen and when they got closer they say a person on a red cloack, his face was concealed in the hood of the red cloack and was unleashing all his power to Etoh, who was in turn doing the same.
Etoh: In the name of Pharis, go back to the abbyss!! Aahhhhhh
Parn (unsheathing his sword) Etoh!!
Three more hoodes priests appear and attack with their swords at Parn and Deedlit. Deedlit is being atacked by two at the time and Parn cannot do anything about it. Parn defends himself but the hooded man power is too much for him. Deedlit it's doing the same but it's having a hard time defending from two swords. One of them kicks her and she falls to the ground. One of them prepares to deliver the final blow when Pirotess appears from behind and cuts his ooded head.
Deedlit: (very shocked) YOU!?
Pirotess: Yes, me. No time for that!
Now it's Deedlit and Pirotess against one hooded priest. Deedlit then recognized the emblem on the priest robes. It was a priest of Falaris, the god of darkness. Woodchuck helps Etoh by throwing some daggers to the priest he was fighting, creating a distraction and then Etoh intensified Pharis power and vaporized the priest of Phalaris.
Parn unleashes the power of the sword and the priest is blinded by it's light and it's soon beheaded. Pirotess and Deedlit call the spirits of the forest to aid them and they answer this time, as they promised and the priest is defeated at last.
Parn: Where is Shiris?
Woodchuck: She is here, she'll be fine!
Etoh: I'm going to brin Liara!
Deedlit cannot keep her eyes off Pirotess who keeps staring at Deedlit back.
Deedlit: Are you going to kill us now?
Pirotess: Only if you give me a reason to...
Deedlit: (droping her swod) What?
Pirotess: (get's closer to Deedlit, also droping her sword) I had a dream too (she gives a very small smile).
Deedlit smiles back.
Pirotess: Look, I've spent almost all my life hating you kin so it is very difficult for me to say this but... I hope we could...
Deedlit: ... me too
Pirotess: I have a lot to think about now. I promise I will return for you, when the days of your knight are over.
Deedlit: I'll be waiting.
Pirotess begins to walk away and then turns to Parn, who is very confused.
Pirotess: You. Thank you for trying to save Ashram back in Marmo. And take care of the princes or I'll kill you.
Parn: I will, I promise.
The whole group reunite in time to see Pirotess walking away.
Etoh: She never said why she didn't killed us...
Deedlit: She may never will...
Now that they recieved the blessing from the spirits of the forest there is jst one more thing to do...