Disclaimer: "Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog" and its' characters are owned by Saban and whoever else was involved with the creation and production of this show. Any new characters and story lines that come into play are of my own creation. No copyright infringement is intended. This is a fanfiction intended for entertainment purposes only and no money is being made off of it.
Chapter 21: The Sacred Stone
The Dark Forest eerily echoed the sounds of the crickets and other nocturnal animals. The sun had already descended and the moon had risen, but it was hiding behind dark clouds so there was no natural light within the forest. A blue orb of light the size of an apple floated above a gloved hand. The blue light reflected off the face showing cold blue eyes and golden hair. Anian's face was calm and stony.
The oppressiveness of the forest did not affect him as he walked silently around the crooked trunks of the dark trees. His presence had an affect on the forest because wherever he walked, a respectful silence surrounded him.
He stepped into a clearing that seemed as though it was out of place within the Dark Forest. He lit the torches that had already been placed there centuries go with just a wave of his hand. The torches' light brushed against the trees and illuminated the perfectly round clearing. It was as though the trees dared not grow beyond the circle of torches.
His cold blue eyes lingered on the dark, cold stone that was in the center of the clearing.
His eyes flew up and to the right as the sound of branches breaking reached his ears. Into the light of the torches stepped Rohan wielding the Sword of Kells, and Garrett holding before him his Twin Timber Axes.
The two Mystic Knights sprinted toward Anian who remained completely still. Rohan raised his sword horizontally and brought forth the mystical fire.
Anian dodged Rohan's fire, spun around and kicked Garrett in the chest before Garrett could strike a blow. The Mystic Knight of Forest landed on his back, clutching his chest. A smile came to Anian's lips as he heard the cracking of bones breaking.
Rohan raised his sword into an arc and leapt forward bringing his sword to Anian's neck. "Now," Rohan yelled as he held his sword to Anian's throat.
A well-strung net fell from the branches above and onto Anian. Deirdre stepped forward with a pouch in her hand. She quickly reached into the pouch with her free hand and when her hand withdrew, she threw silver dust over Anian. The dust, created by the Druid and the Fairy King, glowed for a few seconds as it magically enforced the net that held Anian.
Angus and Ivar stepped out into the clearing, their mystical weapons in their hands. Ivar was casting a wary glance around the clearing while Angus' black eyes remained solely on Anian.
Anian smiled through the holes of the net.
"Why are you smiling Anian? You have failed," Rohan said trying to hide the nervousness he felt.
"Ah, Mystic Knight of Fire, I have not finished yet. Did you really believe that I would not have foreseen your lame attempt to trap me?" Anian's voice echoed in the clearing.
Anian began to shimmer and the image began to change into another. Rohan stared at Torc whose eyes were a cold blue that were empty.
Suddenly, from behind a thick, twisted tree came Nemain, her eyes the same as Torc's, brandishing a sword at Rohan. Rohan brought his blade up and was barely able to deflect the strong blow. Nemain took her right hand off of the sword and brought forth a ball of energy that she sent right into Rohan's chest. Rohan flew and crashed against into the trees.
A cold wind rose as Deirdre and Ivar went to Rohan's aid, while Garrett and Angus went to attack Nemain. Before they could reach the ones they were after, they were stopped by thick vines that encircled their legs and arms, forcing them to drop their mystical weapons. The vines pulled the Mystic Knights back until they slammed into the trees, holding them securely against the twisted trunks.
The net that held Torc rose into the air and it was flung to the feet of the Mystic Knights.
Anian appeared before them was he surveyed his prisoners who struggled against the thick vines. Shock and anger reflected in each of the Mystic Knights' eyes as they watched Anian casually approach them.
"Murderer!" Angus yelled as he struggled furiously against his vines wishing he could wrap his hands around Anian's throat.
Anian stepped up to Angus and raised his obsidian sword the point pricking the neck of Angus skin, drawing some of the Mystic Knight's blood.
"Ah, Mystic Knight of 'Dirt', wasn't it you who caused Macha's death and therefore should be branded murderer? She saved your pathetic life, for a little longer anyway," Anian said drawing a thin line of blood to Angus' ear, but not cutting too deeply to kill the Knight.
Anian smiled as Angus continued to struggle. Anian turned his back to the Mystic Knights and walked to the Sacred Stone. He waved his hand silently commanding Torc and Nemain to stand on either side of the trapped Mystic Knights.
Anian reached into his pouch and brought forth the Crystal of Sight. He raised the Crystal in his hand and it began to glow a crimson red. The dark clouds opened to reveal a red full moon in the sky.
The Crystal of Sight glowed and the mirror, the Cauldron of Heart, the Scroll of Wisdom, the Stone of Spirit and an obsidian dagger with dried blood appeared on the ground before Anian.
Anian bent over, grabbed the obsidian blade, and turned to look at Rohan. "I could not have done this without your blood, Draganta." Anian smiled wickedly at him before he turned back to scrape the dried blood into the Cauldron of Heart. He dropped the Stone of Spirit into the cauldron and placed the cauldron on top of the Sacred Stone.
The Crystal of Sight floated in front of the mirror. Then the Scroll of Wisdom rose from the ground and floated before the Crystal of Sight. As the scroll opened, light shot from the mirror through the Crystal of Sight and onto the scroll. The words on the Scroll faded and new ones appeared.
Anian reached into the pouch once more and brought out the Amulet of Life. He raised the amulet before him and began to recite the ancient words on the scroll. Once he had finished he spread his arms out and waited for the power that would be bestowed on him.
It was quiet for several moments, before Anian brought his arms down. The Mystic Knights all waited breathlessly as they watched Anian.
He spun around and faced the Mystic Knights, anger reflecting in his cold eyes. "Everything I have done was correct. You pathetic Mystic Knights have done something to ruin the ritual!"
Anian's anger sprung forth at the failed attempt to bring forth the power that he deserved. Anian stepped toward the Mystic Knights, the Amulet of Life glowing blood red in his hand.
A sound reached Anian's ears and a blur came toward him from the trees to his right. An arrow struck his hand, causing the amulet to fall to the ground and the red glow to vanish. The sound of a bow releasing another arrow echoed in the clearing as it struck one of the vines that held Angus, releasing one of the Mystic Knight's hands.
Anian spun to his right, brandishing his sword as he gazed past the flickering light of the torches and into the darkness of the trees. He waited and watched as someone stepped out into light of the torches. A silver head of hair shone brightly, even with the weak glow of the torches.
"Macha," Angus whispered as the green-eyed girl walked toward Anian her staff in her hands, the long cloak that she wore went down to her ankles making it seem as she was floating.
Anian stared at Macha in shock, uncertain if she was indeed real or something the Mystic Knights had engineered to mess with him. "I do not know how you survived, Macha, but you will not survive this night for your death shall be done by my blade."
Macha stopped just a few steps away from Anian, her face covered with bruises and scratches. Her mouth was set in a determined line and her eyes shone with determination.
Anian growled as he leapt forward, sword raised into the air ready for a death strike. As he brought his blade down, Macha raised her staff horizontally readying herself for the impact of Anian's blade.
While Anian and Macha fought, Angus had reached the dagger that he had kept at his waist and was working on cutting through the thick vines that held him.
Anian and Macha fought viciously. Whenever one would strike, the other would deflect the attack. They circled each other, lashing out with their weapons and their limbs, trying to disarm or hurt the other.
The Mystic Knights watched helplessly as the fighting intensified. Ivar was the first to notice that Macha's cloak was beginning to be stained with blood on her right side above her hip, but he knew that Anian had not touched Macha with his sword.
Anian noticed that Macha was losing strength and her agility. Anian feinted to the left and when Macha fell for it, he kicked her right leg, causing her to fall. Anian grabbed the staff from Macha's hand and slammed the end of her staff into her chest.
Macha tried to scream in pain as several ribs broke but the air had been knocked out of her lungs. Macha looked up at Anian, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she struggled to take a breath and block out the pain. "The vision of Draganta becoming evil that Fedelma had was a ploy, wasn't it Anian?" Macha asked as she took in a sharp breath.
"Yes, it was the perfect ruse to keep you distracted," he explained as he gave Macha a knowing smile. "Besides, I do not know why you are asking me questions which you already know the answers to. You should also know that your attempt to stop me is pointless."
Anian looked from Macha to the Mystic Knights, only Angus and Rohan were free, working on cutting the vines that held their friends. Torc and Nemain had both been knocked unconscious sometime during the fight between Anian and Macha. "I know now what went wrong with the ritual. I can not believe that I missed something important."
A vine with thorns struck out and cut each of the Knights in various places. The vine receded to the Sacred Stone as the blood of each member of the Mystic Knights dripped into the cauldron. "Anian turned to look at Macha. "In the riddle, it said 'blood of legends'."
A black hole opened behind the Sacred Stone and a dark tendril of mist slithered out. The mist latched itself onto Anian causing him to shudder in pain and excitement as the dark power began to fill him.
Macha quickly looked around, trying to find the amulet, knowing that Anian would need it to gain all of the power that the Sacred Stone offered.
Angus headed toward Macha, leaving Rohan and Ivar to free Deirdre and Garrett. When he was just a few steps away from her, black lightning shot out from Anian's outstretched hands and created a circle around him, Macha and Angus.
Macha and Angus watched, as the lightning became mist trapping them and Anian in a sphere. The other Mystic Knights pounded on the sphere using their mystical weapons but they could not break through.
"Angus, get the amulet, quickly," Macha yelled as she pointed to the amulet only a few steps to his right.
Angus went to grab the amulet when Anian sent out a bolt of black lightning. Angus dropped to the ground and rolled, grabbing the amulet. He held it before him like a shield as he watched Anian, waiting for him to strike.
Anian smiled at Angus and then he turned indicated Macha with a nod of his head. "She is dying if you hadn't noticed. I can save her life, Angus; all you have to do is give me your armor and the Amulet of Life." Anian held out his hand, his cold, dark eyes staring into Angus' dark ones.
"Angus, do not let him have your armor or the Amulet of Life," Macha yelled.
"Give me the amulet, Angus, if you wish for Macha to live." Anian said as he outstretched his hand.
Angus looked down at the amulet in his hand, wondering if Anian could save Macha. Angus shook his head, suddenly realizing that even if Anian could save her life, he would never do it. Angus looked up at Anian and smiled.
"No," Anian cried out as Angus tossed the amulet to Macha.
Macha grabbed the amulet before it hit the ground. "Angus, call upon your armor, now!"
"Earth beneath me," Angus yelled, calling forth his armor.
The Amulet of Life shone brightly and cast its light and magic on Angus and his armor. Angus' armor glowed as Macha increased his power ten fold.
He lifted his Terra Sling Mace and focused all of the power in it, brought it down onto the Sacred Stone.
Anian screamed in anger and pain as he began to be pulled into the portal. He gathered some power in his hand and sent it at Macha.
Macha, unable to move was struck full force by the dark magic. Angus cried out to her as he ran to her side, taking his armor off as he went. He dropped to his knees at Macha's side.
The sphere dissipated and the other Mystic Knights rushed toward Angus and Macha, Ivar supporting Garrett along the way.
Macha turned her head and looked at Rohan, giving him an apologetic smile. "I am sorry Rohan. I knew within my heart that something about the vision wasn't right.
"Why did you attack me on the cliff?" Rohan asked wanting to abate his curiosity and wondering if what Macha had said about her friend being given a false vision was true.
"Anian," Macha coughed, "he somehow made me see evil surrounding you, but thankfully Angus prevented me from striking a deathly blow."
"Macha," Angus said as he grabbed her hand, his eyes filling with tears.
Macha turned her head to face Angus and smiled. "I need to apologize to you as well, Angus. I know that I have caused you a great deal of pain, I know because I felt it as well. I am sorry, Angus." Macha's eyes fluttered and her breathing waned, until a final sigh escaped past her lips and her eyes closed.
Tears streamed down Deirdre's face remembering when Rohan was almost lost to her. Rohan wrapped his arms around the Princess as she buried her face in his chest. Sorrow and pain were on Ivar and Garrett's faces. Garrett began to feel a small jolt of jealously toward Deirdre and Rohan, but he stopped it for his friend Angus.
Angus' tears fell onto Macha's face as he bent over and gently kissed her forehead. So much had happened to him since Macha had arrived in Kells. He had learned that he could love someone and that someone could love him in return. He had also learned that with great love comes pain that tears at the heart and soul.
He squeezed the Amulet of Life that was in Macha's hand. He felt his hand becoming warm and then he looked as their hands began to glow. He felt such warmth spring from within his heart and he could feel it travel down his arm to his hand that held Macha's hand. The light became brighter as it went from the joined hands and traveled throughout Macha's body.
Macha's eyes shot open and she let out a gasp as life returned to her limbs, to her body and to her heart. The bruises and cuts on Macha's face faded away. She could feel her other injuries heal in an instant.
The Mystic Knights stared at Macha bewilderment and amazement on their faces. They didn't understand what had happened, but they knew that it was something wonderful.
She cautiously sat up, feeling Angus' hands supporting her as she rose. She looked at Garrett, who was leaning on Ivar for support. "Garrett, you should be healed as well." Light shot forth from amulet and engulfed Garrett, healing the wounds that he had received from Anian.
Macha turned to Angus and smiled. "I do not know how you were able to save my life, Angus, but I thank you with my heart. Macha learned forward and kissed Angus deeply.
She leaned back and looked into Angus eyes giving him a beautiful smile. "I believe we should return to Kells and tell the King and Cathbad the good news."
Angus smiled at Macha as he helped her to her feet. She stepped to Rohan and held out her hand. Rohan looked down at her hand and after a moment, he grabbed it, nodding his head.
"Where did Torc and Nemain go?" Garrett asked as he looked where he had last seen them.
"I'm certain they are on their way back to Temra, Anian was the only one destroyed by the Sacred Stone," Macha replied.
The Mystic Knights and Macha entered the Dark Forest, the silver moon shining down, lighting their way home.
guardianM3: I hope this chapter was all right, there was a lot happening. I hope that you all enjoyed it! One more chapter left to go. I hope you all will review.