Ch.14

Meta Knight awoke slowly and it seemed to take an eternity before the room came into focus. His eyes felt gritty and clouded with sleep. Memories swam up to meet him and for a time he lay trapped in their embrace seeing once more the memories of his distant past and then the brutal fight with the demons. He pawed at his mask and fumbled with the straps until he managed to remove it. He rubbed his eyes hard as if to wipe away the images from his mind's eye. He took several deep, calming breaths until he felt more himself. He took stock of his surrounding and realised he was in his room aboard Erik's ship. He didn't recall coming aboard. The last thing he remembered was seeing the results of his battle, the destruction he had caused. He must have collapsed, but…but where was the sword? He sat up suddenly and after a quick glance around the room he spotted both Galaxia and the Soul Mirror resting against one wall to the side of his bed.

But of course, he berated himself. Fumu and Erik would not have left them behind. He was being foolish. He stood up replacing his mask as he did so, the single act helping him to regain his sense of calm and normality. He took Galaxia and strapped it across his back. His hand hovered over the hilt of the Soul Mirror for a moment before, with a deep breath, he gripped the hilt. His vision seemed to flicker and he let his sight darken. Calmly, he told himself, calmly. The bedroom came back into focus and he put the blade at his side. His hand lingered at the hilt before he forced himself to remove it and leave the room.

Erik turned with a smile as Meta Knight entered the bridge.

"There you are," he said brightly. "You do defy expectations, don't you? I thought you'd be gone longer after all that."

"Sir Meta Knight!" said Fumu, standing up from one of the chairs. "Are-" she stared at the floor and fidgeted a bit. "Are you alright…?"

"Yes. Erik, may I speak with you?"

"Certainly," Erik replied before glancing at Fumu. "Ms. Fumu, might I suggest you get some rest? You've hardly slept since we returned."

"But I-"
"Please. You must keep up your strength after all."

"Oh…alright." Fumu started toward the door but paused in front of Meta Knight. "I'm glad you're okay," she murmured before hurrying out of the room.

"Now then," Erik said as Meta Knight came to stand beside him. "What can I do for you?"

"Does the Soul Mirror continue to affect the wielder beyond that of the test?"

"It can have some effect, yes, though a strong will can prevent it. Am I to take it that it tried to drag you in once more?"
Meta Knight made a sound of acknowledgement and Erik sighed. "I am sorry to put you through this. It was kept under guard for a reason, and while I was lax in my family duty in protecting it, I still would have rather seen it stay buried."

"It was necessary."

Erik eyed the Soul Mirror with a frown. "Only more violence will come from this. It's a pity," he mused.

"Did you know her?"

"Not well. She was an acquaintance, nothing more. However she was well liked and well respected in our town. Her family would be shamed to see her now. War is a terrible thing," he added in a heavy voice. "But then, you know that all too well, don't you?"

Meta Knight turned away his thoughts ringing with the past sounds of battle. He felt a sudden pressure on his hand and saw that Erik knelt in front of him, gripping his hand in his own. His hand had been straying back to the Soul Mirror's hilt without him realising.

"It does not pay to dwell on the past," Erik said. His face was unusually grave. "Do not let it lure you in."

Meta Knight shuddered and drew his cloak around himself. Erik straightened and gave a small, strained smile. "I am going to check on our lovely Ms. Fumu and make sure she isn't in need of anything. Unless of course there is more you need?"

"No. Thank you."

Erik nodded and strolled out of the room. He paused once at the door to look back at Meta Knight, but he remained standing still seeming to stare out the window.

Fumu trailed a bit of spilled tea on the table in a circle. Wet and still warm. Had Meta Knight felt the warmth of the demon's blood? Was it warm at all? She recoiled at the mere thought of it, yet he had waded through them all as if they were nothing.

"Tea is always excellent for a bit of relaxation, hm?" She jumped at the sound of Erik's voice, breaking the circle of tea. Erik stood in the doorway smiling at her. "You seemed very lost in thought. I apologise for startling you."

"N-no. I'm fine."

He took the seat across from her. "Care to unburden your mind?"

She shivered a bit and took a gulp of tea. "I…can't stop thinking about before. Sir Meta Knight…he was…terrifying."

"It was quite a display. He did save us, however."

"Yeah," Fumu said slowly. "But…I've never seen him so, so rabid. It was like watching-" she stopped and took another gulp of tea, draining the cup. She set it down with a clatter as her hand shook. Erik silently picked up the teapot and refilled her cup before filling one for himself. Fumu took another sip followed by a deep breath. "It was like watching another demon beast fighting them."

"He was enraged with ample reason, I'm sure. However, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't disturbing."

Fumu nodded, her eyes downcast.
"Don't be shamed for thinking it," Erik said gently.

Fumu clasped her hands together. "I feel…a bit…scared of him, b-but after all he's done for us, that's terrible."

"He's a powerful warrior with a great deal of pain, a powerful warrior bearing that…thing." Disgust laced his voice. Fumu looked at him, startled and his tone grew gentler as he added, "Some fear does not seem unwise in the circumstances."

Fumu sighed a bit and they both fell silent. The only sounds were that of their cups tapping the table until the pot was emptied and Erik got up to bring some food for a small dinner.

"I don't think he'll be joining us tonight," Erik said as Fumu caught herself, once again, glancing at the seat Meta Knight normally occupied at meal times.

"I guess not…"

"Hopefully he's getting more rest. He was still weary." Erik cocked his head as though listening and his eyes grew unfocused. "Yes…good," he said dreamily. Suddenly he stiffened and his eyes snapped into focus. "No!" He jumped up knocking his chair to the ground.

"What is it?" Fumu squeaked.

"Come with me," Erik ordered, already at the doorway.

Fumu gave him a puzzled look but obeyed.

Erik led her to Meta Knight's room and when they entered, she saw instantly that something was wrong. Meta Knight lay on the bed, with one hand wrapped tight around the Soul Mirror's hilt. His other hand gripped the sheets, and his eyes, darkened with sleep, were flickering.

Erik didn't pause at the door, but walked straight to Meta Knight's side. He placed one hand over the hand gripping the blade. "Take his other hand," he said before placing his above Meta Knight's mask. Fumu hurried to obey and clutched at Meta Knight's other hand. She could feel it twitching convulsively in hers and swallowed with fear.

Erik's eyes fell shut and his face grew slack. Fumu felt Meta Knight trying to pull away from her and she gripped harder. An eternity seemed to pass when Erik's eyes suddenly flew open and he staggered back with a cry.

"What's wrong?" she exclaimed.

"Damn her," Erik growled and Fumu felt a chill go through her at the anger in his voice. He passed a shaking hand over his eyes and breathed deeply.

"What is it?" she tried asking again.

"Orlaith. And that," he said with a hard look at the Soul Mirror. "Fumu, I need you to keep holding him and talk to him. Do anything you can think of to communicate."
"Alright," she stammered. "But what are you-" He shook his head at her as he took his position once more. Before she could say anything more, his eyes fell shut.

"Sir Meta Knight," Fumu pleaded. "Please come back to us. We need you. Kirby needs you. Please. Please wake up."

"Wake up." The voice slid through his mind, a creeping cold, a poison that laced its way around his being. "Wake up and see your Master."

No. No, he wouldn't. He just wanted to hide from that terrible voice and the pain. It burned. Just let it end. Please let it end. "N-no…"

Cruel laughter cut into him. "No? How amusing."

He felt a great pressure and the pain seemed to gather in one spot, concentrated until he thought he would die.

A scream rang in his ears. Garlude! He drifted in space, alone. They'd been fighting for hours. His limbs were growing heavy, but he kept swinging, kept moving. Wolfwrath filled his vision and the pain and pressure returned. He writhed against the rock wall under Orlaith's searing grip.

"Bring your pain to me. Let us pass it to another and free yourself from it. I can let you do it, but you must come to me."

He moaned as the voice caressed him, suddenly soft and soothing. "Why should you alone endure it?"

"End…it…"

"Yes, that's right. Drown another in your nightmare."

He rose up and the pain seemed to fade into a haze floating like a cloud around him, a part of him, yet separate.

"Magnificent. You are a masterpiece!" Laughter rang through the room once more.

He flexed his wings and clenched his fists. What was this pressure…A sword suddenly appeared in his hand and he stared at it. "This…this isn't…right…" he murmured. "The timing…all wrong…"

The room rippled and faded. He found himself standing in a field of grass.

"Meta Knight!" Erik stood a few feet in front of him. "You need to-" He suddenly whirled around a shield appearing in his hands just in time to deflect a beam of light.

"Orlaith," Meta Knight growled as she stepped into his vision.

"Leave. Now." Erik said.

"And lose this opportunity? Don't be a fool." Orlaith replied, her gaze fixed on Meta Knight. "I will not leave, not while I can end this now."

Meta Knight launched himself at her but staggered as his vision faltered and the grass flickered starting to turn to stone then back to grass again.

"Drop it!" Erik yelled. "I can't hold her and it off at the same time!"

"No…" Orlaith said with a hint of wonder in her voice. "Whatever this is, it is working to my advantage. I suggest you leave, old man."

The world spun nauseatingly around Meta Knight. A cave, Cappy Town bustling with activity on a sunny day, a glimpse of Kirby, red eyed and giggling, Nightmare floating over him. "N-no…"

"And what shall I do with you first?" Nightmare circled him, examining his creation from every angle.

Meta Knight shuddered and yet…this wasn't right. He tore his gaze away from Nightmare and saw Erik and Orlaith facing each other, their faces tight with concentration

"Look at him!" Orlaith said with a wild wave toward Meta Knight. "Don't you see what he is?" she demanded.

"I don't think origins hold much meaning, wouldn't you say?" Erik replied coldly.

A darkness fell over Meta Knight's vision. "No!" Erik's voice seemed to cut through it and he suddenly saw clearly again. Erik had turned to face him, but paid for the moment of distraction as a blast of light slammed into him causing him to stagger back against the wall behind him.

Meta Knight stared first at Erik then at Orlaith. Nightmare came into his view and he was suddenly struck with a moment of clarity. This was taken from his memory. He gripped the Soul Mirror. It was taking this from him, but it was his. He would control it. He tried to bring up memories of Cappy Town. Peaceful, without fear. A place he could concentrate. The town was always bustling. Remember that noise. Remember the scents and sights.

"Do not think it shall be that easy." Orlaith's voice cut into his concentration. The darkness was fading and Nightmare vanished. Cappy Town rose up nearby as they appeared in the fields around it. Smoke rose up from the buildings and in the distance the castle sat in a smouldering ruin.

For a moment he felt despair but upon looking at Orlaith he felt it fade. It was horrible, yes, but it was her doing. It wasn't real and that made it far better than Nightmare's dungeons. Erik stumbled as he lost the support of the wall and nearly fell. He met Meta Knight's gaze and Meta Knight nodded. With an effort he released the Soul Mirror and let it fall to the ground.

"And now you have no weapon," Orlaith said. She lifted a hand but before she could do anything, Erik slammed his shield into her shoulder. She staggered sideways, but caught her balance and brought up her sword against Erik. He caught the blade on his shield, but she pushed into it forcing him back.

"You think you can fight me? I fought in the war while you were nowhere to be seen." A glow coalesced around her free hand before she released it into a beam that slammed into Erik knocking him to the ground. She placed the tip of her sword on his chest. "You and I are all that are left. I do not want to kill you. Please leave."

Erik chuckled. "Such nobility," sarcasm laced his voice.

"Then you stand against my ideals. You stand against a better world?"

"I stand against you. I don't know about this 'better' world of yours."

Meta Knight ran forward to help, but stopped part way as a voice entered his hearing. "…Meta Knight…please…come back…" He stopped in his tracks as a memory rose, unbidden, of another time and place. A soldier staring at him, her face earnest, but her voice fearful.

"You'll come back, Sir, won't you? I don't know what we'd do without you." She looked down abashed. "I-I'm sorry. That was inappropriate."

They'd gone to destroy one of Nightmare's army bases. He froze as the events of that day washed over him. He spun around and raced back to the fallen Soul Mirror.

"What are you doing?" Erik cried out as Meta Knight picked the blade up. He took a deep breath and willed Erik to see his thoughts hoping Orlaith wouldn't also be able to see.

'That should work,' Erik's voice floated through his mind. 'But it won't be pleasant for any of us.' There was a feeling of satisfaction. 'Including her. I'll try to guide you. Focus solely on that area. I need to see it as well.'

Meta Knight forced the image of the room into his mind. To the side, the control room. Grey walls…Nightmare hovering over him. No! 'Focus,' Erik's voice floated through his mind.

"What are you doing?" Orlaith asked sharply, turning her gaze to Meta Knight. Erik took advantage of her momentary distraction to slip out from under her sword and roll to his feet. He locked gazes with Meta Knight and the world faded again, resolving itself into a dim room.

Meta Knight quickly took in his surroundings before running to a door on the side.

"Whatever you are planning is futile," Orlaith said and shot another beam of light at him. He leapt to the side and continued to the door without hesitation.

He fumbled at the door handle. Rapid footsteps sounded behind as he managed to get a grip and push the door open. There was a grunt followed by a thud. Meta Knight whirled around in the doorway to see Erik on his knees between he and Orlaith. He gripped his side and Meta Knight could see blood tricking from under his hand.

Orlaith started to step around him, but he flung out his shield arm and shakily rose to his feet. Seeing that he was back up Meta Knight turned back to his task and ducked into the room.

The control panel glittered with various lights and switches. Meta Knight rapidly typed in the password, trying to block out the memories of doing this in the past. He pulled a lever and felt the whole building shudder.

Orlaith backed up a step, but Erik pressed in on her. "You fool!" She exclaimed. "We need to change this!"

Erik responded with a grim smile and pressed his attack.

"This-" Orlaith stopped as the floor jerked under them. The floor opened in an explosion that sent them both rocketing backward. Erik slammed into the control console and slumped to the floor. Orlaith hit the ground hard and lay still. The doorways collapsed in a pile of rubble and Meta Knight heard more rumbles and the noise of what he guessed was the roof collapsing in past the door's remains. He released the Soul Mirror with a soft sigh and let darkness claim him.

"Please. Sir Meta Knight, please. You have to wake up. Please. Kirby needs you." Fumu clung to his hand speaking the words over and over until it became a sort of chant.

Erik suddenly yelled, his head snapped back and his eyes were wide. He fell back away from the bed and crumpled to the floor. "Erik!" Fumu cried out then jumped as the Soul Mirror clattered to the ground. Meta Knight shot up with a gasp and sat breathing heavily and trembling.

"S-Sir Meta Knight. I was so worried and Erik, he collapsed." Fumu said in a rush.

Meta Knight didn't respond except to slide off the bed and land lightly beside Erik. Fumu ran around to the other side to get a better look. Erik lay limply on the ground, his face grey and slack.

"Is he…?"

"He's unconscious," Meta Knight said. He swayed and caught himself on the edge of the bed.

"We can't move him," Fumu said. "I'll get a blanket and pillow." She gave Meta Knight a worried look then left the room.

When Fumu returned she found Meta Knight still leaning heavily against the bed. "Sir…you should rest too…," she said as she slid the pillow under Erik's head. Meta Knight pulled himself back onto the bed, every movement seeming laborious. He fell back against the pillows and by the time Fumu was finished making Erik comfortable his eyes had dimmed and he'd gone still. She blinked, her eyelids suddenly feeling leaden. She gave the room a final glance then left suddenly desperate for a bed herself.

Author's Note:
Finally another chapter and decently long one to vaguely make up for my long absence! However, I am about to scream at the formatting. I needed marks like ~ for example, to split sections up when shifting from time to time and character to character to make it less confusing. However nothing I do seems to be being kept, so hopefully, not too confusing. *sigh*