So Near Yet So Far
Chapter 24: Awakening from the Dream
Chapter Summary: It's like we've been in an illusion since we were born. Only now are we stepping from it, into reality.
"So..."
"So..."
"Our lives...it was all for this moment?"
Lyra's voice was almost fearful, like a child's. She inwardly groaned at her weakness. The moment the responsibility had fallen on her, the moment she could have called herself an adult, she just had to act like a child. Her voice constricted at her throat, and not totally because of the stifling air of the Darkness.
Child, do not sound so cheated.
You had a good life until now.
"Good life?! It was never good! What about when we had to take on the crumbling Kingdom of Heaven, free the Dead, Sacrifice for the Worlds? Why isn't that good enough?"
Will's indignation earned him the feeling (remember, they could not hear, for there was no noise) of someone sighing.
It is our duty. You speak of it too. Of not shirking our duty. Do you not recall?
Your role is to help the Worlds. That is your duty.
"That isn't duty! That's destiny! We never believed in destiny! We were meant to bring an end to it. So we make our own destinies."
But that's what you have done. You have brought an end to your destiny by taking the reins yourself.
Right now, you have two choices, to do what we told you, or to leave this place and pretend you never were part of a prophecy.
"But...that's hardly a choice at all!"
Lyra's tears came out in a series of angry sobs. This wasn't what she had learned the aleithiometer for! She'd worked 20 years for the knowledge, it was going to waste just because of some long forgotten prophecy! What should she and Will care about some Music of the Worlds mumbo-jumbo?
Child, you must remember that we can see your thoughts.
Why are you so angry? Did you not have the feeling that this would happen? Child-
"We are not children!"
Will's furious interruption silenced the two voices. For a moment, all Will could feel was Lyra's shivering hands. He held them all the tighter.
In years, maybe not. In thinking, we are inclined to say you are.
Indeed.
Before Will or Lyra could protest, the two Fallen quickly continued.
We are not saying we were unlike you.
In fact, we were arguably worse.
"You two...What did you have to do?"
It is too hard to explain. But it was...scarring, to say the least.
That's putting it lightly.
Indeed.
But this isn't about us now. This is about you.
If you choose to accept what we have said and the duties as Parents of the Worlds, you will need to leave this place.
Which is easier to do than you think.
"Really? How?"
Will felt a hand, or something which seemed like a hand, grab at his belt and withdrew Zephyron from a buckle at his hip.
This.
There was a flash of light as the blinding blade of Zephyron revealed itself. In the process, Will's belt was sliced and fell next to him, hardly noticed.
The dazzling knife blazed with colours none of them could or would ever describe. Its dull appearance in the light simply contrasted its kaleidoscopic beauty in the Darkness.
Will stuttered out a question, while receiving Zephyron from the ghostly hand that was illuminated by its glow.
"How...do I wield it?"
It handles itself like the Subtle Knife did.
In fact, it was the predecessor of the Knife.
He turned it over in his hand, in awe. Lyra moved slightly closer to him, her features painted with twin displays of joy and apprehension at the same time. She had seen good things happen for so long, she knew that there had to be a catch to it all. With every upturn in her life, it would bring about an almost immediate downturn.
Just like meeting Will again, she had just been told it was all because of some big guy called Fate or Destiny up there pulling the strings, so the Parents of the Worlds could be united to bring down another foe. She gulped slightly at the thought, her tears threatening to fall again. They would have to pay the hefty price for the Worlds' safety too... Something she really didn't want to think about now.
Her rasping voice, after hysteria and lack of hydration, seemed alien to her, as it rose out of her throat. At the same time, it filled with scorn and sarcasm.
"What's the catch?"
There was a semblance of a sigh.
As we said, it is very much like the Knife.
It will be ever sharp and a deadly foe to your enemies.
But unlike the Knife, this one can only be wielded by a certain person, a certain consciousness.
"Is that person Will?"
Thankfully it is. But...
"But what, this time?" Lyra was sick and tired of every good thing ending with a "but..." and then another twist for the worst.
It can only be used once.
Will's eyes widened in the glow of Zephyron.
"Once?"
Yes. But it is not what you think.
Zephyron can be wielded as a weapon infinite times. But its abilities as a Knife that cuts through Worlds...
Is thought to be inferior to that of the Subtle Knife, as the Subtle Knife was created for the purpose of rectifying this mistake.
"Does it create Specters?"
Memories of their last journey through the Worlds made them fearful at Zephyron's powers.
Thankfully no.
Zephyron is made only as a tool. The Subtle Knife was made as a consciousness.
"A consciousness?" Lyra exclaimed. "That means..."
The people who made the Knife were too eager to have it finished that they found the easiest way to make it. They crafted the Knife out of a section of the Transit World. And to imbue it with its innate intention of creating portals that never close...
They trapped a being inside it.
An Angel, to be exact.
"An angel? Who?" Lyra and Will's minds whirled to keep up with the influx of knowledge.
No one really knows for sure.
But it is safe to say that the Angel returned to the Heavens after you broke the Knife.
"So the Knife was made of a piece of the Transit World?"
"That explains the hole that Xaphania showed us!"
"But what of Zephyron?"
We were wondering when you'd ask us about it.
Sit down again Children. And put Zephyron down next to you. Carefully, that's it.
This tale will be long.
A/N: This one was tough to write with NaNoWriMo going on. You're welcome to read my (terrible) NaNoWriMo piece. It's become a blog! Check it out on my profile page!
The Beta for this chapter was Gabor with his daemon Nax. Bless him, the poor guy...
That's all for now, but the next chapter will come very soon! I hope...
MR