Epilogue

Troubled he looked up from the viewing pool. "I see… thank you Solar." After a moment's consideration, he studied the ever-patient Solar's star-like eyes. "She was right about one thing."

She waited, her presence gentle.

"You are my guide, my faëry godmother."

Her smile lit the pocketplane more than the rising sun.

"Wait, please." He knew her well enough to know had he hesitated, she would have departed, "I… wish to ask something of you."

"Speak, godchild." Ever-watchful, there was only compassion for him.

"Three things," closing his eyes, he drew himself up, and slowly released a long breath, "Am I as this in all these incarnations? A child to be manipulated without control of their own destiny?"

"You are never weak."

"Then… you are pleased with me?"

"My place is to advise, to guide, not to judge."

"Please, my lady." He would not beg, but bent his neck slightly in acknowledgement of what she was.

"You are a child of prophecy."

In this life, he did not cut her short.

"One I am most pleased to guide."

"When this is all over… will you remain with me?" That was not the question he intended to ask, but somehow his lips formed before he realised what he was asking, "You have always watched over me."

She smiled and he knew she would not answer.

"In these lives, have I ever raised a blade against you?"

"Is that question so important to you, godchild?"

"It would feel like a betrayal."

"We will get to it in time."

The mortal coil awaited; not yet, his mind held on. There was one last thing before he released the quasi-dream; the Solar studied him.

"Will you summon Irenicus for me?"

There was still time to alter this.

"So godchild, you have summoned me from the hells. How wonderfully mad of you."

"Teach me, spirit, and after I ascend, I will relieve you of your torment."

"Indeed? And what would you so desperately know to offer mercy to me?"

"Unlock my potential. You were right. I understand that now. The shape of flesh is not important, only the power within." He drew in the longest breath of all, "This place of visions, of might have beens… Sarevok was right, you were right. I am a fledgling godling, unprepared, ill-equipped. My other selves scorn me. I wish to know how to separate a soul from the body."

"To what purpose?" Whatever remained of the scholar within the broken elf reared, curiosity mild but curiosity nevertheless.

"To change what would otherwise be."

"A seer now." Faintest scorn touched his deadened voice.

"I will do all in my power to restore you," Even here, the presence of his tormentor still struck at his innards; such scars did not heal with Irenicus' death, only fade. Fear of that helplessness clouded his nights, the deepest, darkest pit of his being. He stepped closer, "I will petition the elf gods, barter with them. If they refuse, I will wage war on their children."

Irenicus said nothing.

"There is still hope for you. Remember Ellesime's words; 'would that you have used your years to earn your way back'?"

"Do not speak her name!" Momentary pain flickered, lost forgotten anguish flaring.

He persisted, taking another step, "I never wanted this, our conflict. Never wanted any of this. You stole what was mine; I was not you, never like you. I will never be like you. I was created through an act of theft, and now another seeks to steal that monster's throne, as you sought to usurp the Tree." He stood tall, proud, "You will help me stop this."

"Spare me your pathetic judgements."

"No, I have the right. By your own words, I have this right. Here, my power is absolute; here, you will bend to my will, and you will begin the path to redemption. You will aid me in sparing a soul blacker than your own from oblivion, and when I restore your soul to you, you shall no longer be 'Irenicus' but Joneleth."

"I despise you."

"Too bad. Ellesime shall be made to know the full horror of what her mistakes cost, but the monster she created, the monster you embraced, will not have been in vain. The knowledge you learned you will relinquish to me, or I will return you to Ellesime now."

"Your threats–"

"Can you bear her touch? Bear her gaze upon you, stripped of your mask? No, you are as helpless here as I was under you. I ask this out of respect, respect for the power you held. Here time is meaningless. Will you aid me?"

For a long time, Irenicus did not speak. Finally, he allowed, "I will."

"Then let us begin."

He felt the Solar's disapproval.

Two more trials awaited.