PART 6

...

Chapter FORTY-SIX: Desperate-TALIA

...

On the grimy stone floor, somewhere deep under a castle, a figure lay shivering and dazed. Broken…alone…hopeless…that he may never see sweet light again.

...

As the minutes rushed away, Talia quickly packed a bundle of restoratives, food and drink, anything she thought necessary for whatever lie ahead. She fumbled a few times, sorrow filling her chest from all that was happening around her. All she ever knew—the world that would always be home to her—unthinkably, forever transformed.

Men, women, and children dead at the hands of a monster shehad failed to destroy—all her fault. Her long, lost homeland and her place of guardianship, Faiara, land of the fairies—her own kind—gone. And also, her mother, Dameon's grandmother—of all heads of a family she admired dearly—well, her son would never know her well either. Even though Dameon had the opportunity to know his grandmother much more that Talia ever had, she had deeply longed for making up more lost time as well. But now, Nino was lost, perhaps, forever...

And now—now—she would have to add to the heap of travesties her life had become. The notion of what she had to do next felt like violating everything she had ever believed in as well as betraying her own troubled sentiments. Yet, trusting her own heart again, also conflictingly felt like everything she had been taught to value long ago: the recollections of fairytale happy endings by all those who told them to her as a child; the promises of finding true happiness and true love—made the wishful ideas seem a little more possible. At least, she hoped that those happy ideals were true for her destiny, or would be some day.

Though not even heartburn or a stab wound to the chest compared to the intense stirs of anger, fear, and sadness she felt inside. She knew she had to do what she set out to do when she left Dameon to Druid Armaiti: There was no other choice...

..

Talia hurried up, avoiding the urge to procrastinate. Though, with everything that pushed her closer to her mission, her mind spun a new unneeded list of 'things to do'; but the truth she knew too well: she would need to hurry if anything could be done at all.

She reached for one last item before she left: another staff, and held it as low as possible from her view, not wanting to see it anymore than she had to. Instead, she looked at the silver priestess ring that could guide her to her destination; however, opting not to apparate to her objective right away, and deciding to walk instead to settle down her feelings.

"Devin…" Talia said as she walked briskly down the long dim corridors, unsure of what he meant to her anymore, and the grudging thought that her confusion was only because the meaning had been forced away from her long ago…Or, had it? No. It was not important any longer, she thought. Saving them was all she should be thinking about now, she told herself as she ended near a dark stairwell.

Despite carrying a lantern, the darkness seemed to eerily engulf the light on the way down. Deciding it would be difficult to only rely on the priestess ring to find him, she raised her own staff and summoned a strange iridescent butterfly that she had until now, very little use for.

"Find him little one..."

...

On the dark frigid floor, pressed against was the Sun Priest; forlorn and wrecked, a ruined man. He vacantly stared into the near darkness. He said nothing—did nothing. So long had passed—so much had been taken away.

"…Day-ame," he breathed out shallowly, hoping life would end soon. He closed his eyes, trying to remember them and was finally able to tune out everything else.

...

The forsaken surroundings of the dungeon caused immediate dread. Talia followed the butterfly a few yards behind. Its glowing wings lit the darkened way through the dungeons, making shadows dance against the tarnished-black walls along its path.

Passing door after door, the place became much colder than the rest of the castle, and she felt alarm thinking that anyone could possibly be down here—ever. With more she saw, Talia suddenly found herself hurrying behind the butterfly's presence, hoping to keep up; beginning to think that what she would find would only cause her more grief.

Not very long after since she had found her way into the pitiful dungeon, the butterfly swayed like a loose leaf about to find landing, readying itself to seep under a chosen vaulted door.

Talia, however, full of doubt and fear, immediately cast the butterfly away before it flew inside and could turn into a portal. She hurried quickly, placing everything down on the ground but her staff. She covered her mouth, uncertain if she should turn away now. She thought briefly of what would happen: What she would feel after everything he had done to her? Would she trust him? How would she feel upon seeing him again? Did she ever love him? Again, a jumble of fury and confusing sentiments made her doubt and hesitate.

At last, deciding on what she would 'have to do' out of duty, she went forward towards the vaulted door. For a second, Talia wondered if she should knock on the cell door. No...a foolish thought, of course not, she decided against.

She warily went closer to it, touching its cold surface, but her fingertips flexed into a fist. She ran her hands over her face as tears filled her eyes. She realized it was locked. He would have beyond doubt have tried to escape long ago.

She dashed to pick up her staff again, spell in mind, ready to be fire: "Wind Trick!"

Instantly, the wind began to beat on the door, suddenly picking up speed until blasting it open, smoke blowing everywhere with left over wind gusts.

"Ta-ta...Talia?" she heard her name being uttered weakly by a whimper she hardly recognized.

Overwhelmed, she sniffled loudly as she tried to keep her balance. She had never imagined him like this as Sun Druid and a Servant of Light. Now he was a here for treachery: a prisoner in the dark. Then again, anything was possible, especially from him after what he had shown himself capable of, she thought grudgingly. But seeing him stagger to get up to meet her half way, in shambles, filthy and dismal, her heart sank to his distress.

..

Though still in shock, he blinked uncontrollably towards her from the sudden light coming from the corridor, attempting to make her out in the light glare; then finally seeing her, standing motionless in the way. Uncertain of what she would do, Aydan tried remaining still, thinking it might be a cruel dream that she would ever be so close again.

..

Talia felt her feet pick up, pacing gradually in the first few steps towards him; teary and holding back as much as she could; not wanting to look into his eyes; not wanting to know if she would see her lover or a deceiver of the worst kind. Then finally, before he moved another inch, she leaped to him, hurdling into his weakened arms—locking into a lasting kiss.

Heavy tears traced quietly down both. Talia felt soft stubble growing on his chilled face with her free hand, then freed the other by dropping her staff, to copy her other. She kept her eyes closed not wanting bliss to end, fearing it was a lie—perhaps, after-effects from love potion. Her heart beat so fast that she could hear nothing except faint breaths.

Eventually losing anymore thought of what the truth might actually be, she realized that she did love him, and drifted deeply into the moment, mind going blank, forgetting her purpose for coming.

"…I love you, Beloved," Aydan whispered once breaking off, "I am so glad and shocked you have forgiven me…" he gazed at her intently; her eyes still shut; wishing to hear her say the same, and then irresistibly kissed her again the next moment.

Slowly, reality began to come back to Talia. Ahriman…the fairies…the world…Dameon…Thais…the Chosen One…the king and queen…Alicia…Devin—Devin.

"Devin…" Talia uttered aloud mindlessly, still lost in reverie. However, lapsing back happily to his lips, tragic thoughts blacking out again.

Suddenly, his grip tightened around her, ending their sweet moment.

"How...how could you?"

Though she meant otherwise, Talia realized immediately what the timing of her words had provoked—jealousy. Nothing more that short-sighted, childish jealousy. Even though it was understandable that he would react this way, she refused to look at him; to let him know what she had really meant to say. Seeing him—what would she see? It was too soon to open her eyes, but his hold became too much. Judgment of every ill deed he had done to her came back leaving her no choice. She opened her eyes only to feel and see what she most feared in him. She had never realized it before, but she stood tall enough to his jaw—the origin of his deceit. So many times had he lied and now deception was all she knew from him.

"Answer me!" Aydan growled weakly. Talia quickly pushed him off, nearly knocking him over.

"Aydan…you do not know what you are talking about."

"Why would you mention that oaf, now? After you have forgiven me—why?!" Aydan glared into her glassy eyes, immediately wondering if he had been too hasty to assume anything. But she sneered at him spitefully, only to instigate more rage and suspicion.

"Who says that I have forgiven you?! Why should I after everything that has happened—all the humiliation you have put us through—forgive you?!" Talia answered sternly.

"But—"

"—Perhaps I meant to mention Devin and forgotten it was YOU who I was kissing!" she yelled; tears sprang faster from her eyes nervously. "Perhaps, Devin has always been with me one way or another...You and your potion may have been able to have me think otherwise, yet, not be able to stop me from loving him all this time. Maybe…maybe he has been with me every instant I have spent with you: every kiss, every tender thought—Would you not like to know how it really is now?! Isn't it awful when the one you love is not sincere with you?!"

"Then why are you here? Should you not be running to the fowl, despicable oaf? —No! —I did not mean it, my love. Please! You have forgiven me—you have! Please, Talia," Aydan begged, attempting to hide his jealous stance. He stumbled near her and latched his arms around her knees. "You wouldn't be here if…"

Aydan clung tighter to her robes, hoping with all his heart that she had not meant what she had said.

"I…am here because…I need…" trailing off, Talia did not know what to say without making him think that she had come only for him; though, she wouldn't stoop to lying like he had with her.

She glanced away too infuriated to continue.

"Please...my red beauty, we have all eternity to get past this. Dameon needs me. We will get married soon. I promised…Forgive me, my love."

"Married..." Talia repeated, swallowing so hard it burned her throat. The event seemed so impossible now. She couldn't even find her ring. "You…you should have long ago. That would have been the least you could have done."

"We can, my love! We can now! Now that you know everything. There is nothing in the way," he said hopeful again, but her sickened expression said otherwise.

"I…I cannot forgive you. I…I do not trust you anymore! I just do not know what to do!" she cried out pushing him off her feet at once and turning away. Her words echoed in the dungeon.

"Do not—do not say that...We belong together!" he retorted desperately. He began wheezing from weakness; he felt so helpless.

"You ruined everything! You knew that the truth was important yet you hid it—Coward!"

"Yes. I did ruin everything, my love. I am a coward…but have mercy, if not for me, then for Dameon!"

"Dameon doesn't deserve to have someone like you around—You liar!"

"My son…Please, Talia, I must see him," Aydan begged meekly. "I miss him so much. Is he all right? He must be worried sick."

"We've...learned to manage as much as we can without you…" she sobbed quietly, thinking of the past few weeks, and how devastated her son was over his absence.

"Ha! I can tell that that is not so, dear," he said suddenly noticing how Talia herself appeared muddled and less than herself. Her hair was barely made and her robes wrinkled. "I want to see him. Where is he?"

"He is well," Talia responded simply.

"Well? He is not with you, why is that?" Aydan saw her shift uncomfortably in place then cover her mouth, worried about the thing that they had not spoken about: the real reason she was here. "Where is he? Talia?!" he demanded as he tried to stand again.

"He…Dameon is being watched by Armaiti."

"Why? Armaiti?...What is going on?"

"A lot…That is why I am here. The druids—they cannot help. They believe it better to go sit in their comfy temples while the whole world is in upheaval. I…I can't do anything if I am here, you know that."

"Anything for you, love. If you want me to go, I will go to the world."

"No. Not you. I would have to go. You do not know the land well."

"Talia, you cannot go. I will not let you. As Dreamer you are bound to the Dream. If you wake—"

"'If I wake'—I know that! I know what can happen!" Talia murmured crossly, sure that what she would ask next could save them all someday; however, it may only devastate their relationship even more. But time was quickly running out...She could not wait anymore to know the full truth of his deceit.

"Then I shall go," he insisted again.

"No! We have no time to waste. I need to return to Thais."

"…Thais? Why?"

"The city…is falling and the king and queen and…" Talia sniffled loudly unable to finish.

"—the Chosen One are in trouble..." Aydan finished for her, mostly mumbling to himself, afraid of what that could mean for everyone if something bad were to happen to the girl. He feared his son's future most. "Is she alive—the Chosen One? She is our only hope. How could this happen?!"

Talia shrugged. She wanted to blame him for making their hold over the world weaker because of his stupidity and Aveyond being abandoned for a couple weeks now.

Frightened of what she would hear next from him, she pressed on: "...Long ago, you wrote a spell for me, remember? You said it could take me to the world…You took me to Aveyond. Do you remember?"

"How could I forget...I told you that I loved you that very day," he smiled recalling the memory fondly.

"You told me that…that you couldn't take me to any other places when I asked if you could take me to Elden to visit my grandmother and Thais to visit Devin... Was…was that true, Aydan?" Talia asked, now looking deeply into his grey eyes again. She gasped suddenly, crying harder, knowing that he had lied all those years ago. The cost was never seeing her grandmother and losing touch with Devin for years.

Aydan could see where this was going, but there was nothing he could say to change what he had done, "Talia, I am sorry. I didn't know any better then. I only wanted you…I was not thinking! I couldn't have known what was to happen."

"That—that was my grandmother I did not get to see again! You wretched man! How can you live with yourself after all this time?!"

"No, no, NO! Talia…I'm sorry! Pleeasse! I was a fool!"

"You lied to me then and many more times after that! And you wonder how come I cannot forgive you…You, shredded every ounce of trust I gave you—all because you were too selfish and jealous to be honest!"

"No, my love, you have it all wrong!" he persisted only spiking more fury.

Talia having had it with him, spun around ready to leave him there, dwindling with his own pointless defense. Suddenly, as she sped away, he grabbed her again, this time with her staff at hand.

"YOU! How do I have it all wrong, then?! That you lied for noble reasons!? —Just…just let go of me! I thought you could help...I can handle it myself," Talia gritted fiercely, easily breaking free. Though, the reality was that there was nowhere to go without his help.

"No! This isn't over. You cannot leave!...You can't…" he slurred now nearly out of health. He let go of her, but still held her staff.

"Then help me at least then. After, you can stay away from us."

"No. You do not mean it—"

"—Dameon doesn't need this kind of instability. He—he is better off not knowing you...You and your ways."

With that said, with the last of his strength, Aydan raised her staff at her. "You cannot take my son from me…Sleep," he said, but nothing happened. He slumped against the wall, dropping her staff, at last, defeated by the lack of energy.

"Is…that your solution to everything?" Talia spoke noxiously, appalled that he would even think of doing such an act—to use magic on her again, how stupid could he be? Her eyes caught sight of the shiny silver bracelet on his wrist, the one the Oracle said would inhibit his magic. "I can't believe that you would…I just can't," Talia repeated, all her emotions bottling up, leaving her hollow and speechless.

"I will not help you—unless—you promise not to take my son from me," Aydan said shallowly, now sweating profusely from weakness. "Promise me…that you will not leave, that you will not let them take me…That he is mine."

She blinked, unresponsive for a minute, watching him fall close to unconsciousness. When he glanced at her again, she grimaced with defeat, nodding to his demands.

After a moment, deciding to walk over to him to claim her staff, she showed no affect as she picked up her staff and pointed it to his wrist. She quietly mumbled a spell, making the bracelet snap open, falling to his lap in a mild burst of sparks.

She turned away again, this time to retrieve the bundle of restoratives in the corridor she had dropped earlier, while leaving his staff in the corridor out of his reach.

Aydan closed his eyes, too weak to move, and glad that she hadn't refused. Though, if she hadn't agreed to his demand, he would have helped no matter her choice, the thought crossed his mind, now barely awake.

Talia immediately pulled out most of the restoratives and food: venison, goat's milk, an apple, among some of the things, then placed them beside him.

For an instant, her hand instinctually drifted to his forehead, taking noticed of how gaunt he had become in the dungeons. But she quickly pulled away; instead, she grabbed a vial of Elixir and splashed it over him, stirring him conscious.

"My love…" he mumbled, alert, but Talia moved away to be alone.

..

They sat apart as he ate and restored his energy. She anxiously waited for him to finish. When it came to drinking the goat's milk, he gagged unexpectedly, realizing it was rotten.

Talia chuckled, then sneered at him. However, he drank it down anyways, thinking it was intentional punishment.

"I will win your forgiveness," Aydan blurted, repulsed by the putrid taste as he continued. "My love, we can get in to trouble for leaving. We must not let it ever be known—"

"—We?" Talia finally spoke. "I will be going alone. Say the spell. We've wasted enough time as it is."

"But you'll be in danger…I…"

"Dameon is waiting for your return. Go to him. I am keeping my end of the bargain, you keep yours."

Without further delay, Aydan recalled the spell from memory, casting it reluctantly over her.

"Tal, wait…" he said.

But before he could say anything more, she was gone.