Chapter 14- Mobilization

The Front Line

Prospective: The Wizard

Come morning light the forces of man and Hallow fell into their lines as the remainder of the army arrived. Men took up swords and stood alongside creatures of the mystic realm of the Hallow, prepared soon to march on the Corruption blockade.

I stood atop the tallest of structures within the fortification, my staff drawn at my side. The wind howled like the wolf to a full moon as legions of purity amassed and fell into their lines far bellow. I sensed that this day much blood would be wasted.

I closed my tired eyes for a moment and felt the powerful rush of the wind against my back. "The bitterness of men finally comes to terms this day," I muttered. "It was man who created this demon in the first place, who once sought to end all life for he believed it his purpose in creation. Hera, his daughter was meant to carry out his desires for this world, but fell to me in battle, allowing the humans a chance to rebuild. Then came the Hallow and forces of purity that stood alongside man to shield them from the darkness. Now Karral has returned to attempt to finish what the humans began so long ago. Once more here I stand as the bridge between light and darkness," I said sighing deeply.

"The Admiral expects you to aid their cause when the time comes," I heard Faye's soft voice speak from behind me.

I chuckled. "I should really learn to stop speaking aloud to myself."

"What are you going to do old man?" she asked walking up beside me. She placed her hand over my shoulder compassionately. "You realize he expects you to lay waist to the corruption forces with extreme prejudice. Yet you and I realize that you aren't meant to take sides. As a wizard you are meant only to protect the delicate balance between right and wrong, good and evil, Hallow and Corruption."

I sigh once more, taking in the sight of the army. "You are wise young Dryad, I am certain that you can decipher what must be done."

"If you help them in the way they desire, you will lose your power… A wizard must maintain balance or…"

"I am aware. When I stopped Hera it was in protection of humanity, therefore staying true to my function. To aid them now would be in cause of eradicating the corruption and would serve to alter the balance in favor of good… but my child, enough death have I known in my life to say with a heavy heart that I am ready for this war to end. I am prepared to sacrifice everything to create a future for you, child."

"Karral is powerful… I can feel his hate from here."

"As can I."

"My purity will not be enough to kill him I fear."

"Yes, I have reasoned with this understanding as well. Something has changed. Karral is no longer as vulnerable as he once seemed. He is planning something. We must not allow him to get the better of us."

"Can you see through him?"

"No. The boy can't either, now that the shard has been removed."

"Yet his visions persist. Why?"

"He is unlike the other humans."

"Yes that much was clear from the start. I came to him after I learned of his defeat of the great eye. He impressed me, so I joined him, acting as if I were merely another of his citizens, yet all the time watching over him in secret and waiting for this day, when he'd finally be ready."

"He is not ready…" I sigh. "Powerful has he grown indeed. Yet you have sensed the darkness within his heart… Faye… you know what he is."

"I'm aware."

"All his life you've been lying to him, telling him things you thought he should understand, to try and alter what is within. You know as well as I the true reason that you cannot touch him. It has nothing to do with his armor."

"I will not allow him to accept his fate and become a puppet to Karral!" she shouted abruptly.

"Please, silence for an old man's ears child."

"I'm not going to let Karral overtake him! Karral didn't realize at first he was one of his own creations. Now that he is aware he's going to try and take him! I won't allow it!"

"Understandably. That is why I have sent the boy with Jessica, Master Drey, and yourself to the volcano to deal with Hera, rather then commission him to the battle front. He will be far away from Karral there and will not fall under his influence. If we succeed in defeating Karral this day or another then the boy will remain free."

"Karral knows that one of his hybrids lives! It will not be that simple. What if he finds a way to control him without directly contacting him!?"

"I do not believe that is a possibility. The boy is strong. Without Karral's direct touch, he will remain that way."

"Sooner of later we will have to tell him the truth."

"Let us tell him after this is day is behind us. He needs no further troubles now. He is already so worried for you, child."

"Me?" she said softly, shyly.

I chuckled. "Surely you must realize it by now, child."

"He's just a moron who's chemically confused."

"The Admiral was not so different from him as a boy."

"And just look how he turned out," she muttered. "He hates our kind and only requires our aid to vanquish his foes. Once this war with the corruption ends, what makes you think another with the Purity and Hallow won't begin?"

"I have faith that humanity has changed. He is a greater man then you realize. What happened between him and your mother was, unfortunate. Learn from the mistakes of others, so that you can avoid making the same ones yourself… Give the kid a chance Faye," I smiled. "He really does care about you, more then you realize."

She was silent.

"Try not to upset him. His emotions fuel his power and fear is his enemy. Keep him calm and focused. If anything, let him get angry and point him towards the enemy. His power is more then what is needed to kill Hera."

"So you truly believe we can kill her so easily?"

"After defeating whatever guards and traps may bar your way, I believe Jessica can get you to Hera without incident. There, the boy must kill her."

"You failed to mention that to him earlier. Why must it be him?"

"Because, he, like Hera, is a hybrid."

"What about Jessica? Is she not also a hybrid?"

"She is. She too knows not of it. No one knows but those who must. She is no threat. Karral does not want her over the boy. He will get neither though."

"Damn right he won't," she said turning away.

"Faye, there is one more thing. When you confront Hera, the boy will not wish to end her life. He will falter. You must insure that it is him who delivers the killing strike, else Hera will not perish."

"When you said you didn't kill her because it would alter the balance, you lied."

"Yes… I lied. It was not yet time for him to know. Only another powerful hybrid can end the life of their own kind. Karral himself could not kill her despite having created her. It must be the boy. Jessica is simply not powerful enough and any attack she delivered would be ineffective. He is the only one. Make certain of it."

"I understand," she said turning away.

I sigh. "I do hate giving people bad news."

"He won't be able to do it…" Faye muttered as she exited.

"Then perhaps, he can find another way," I said with a faint smile of hope. "Always another way."