"Heritage"
by Lisette: Lisette_1@lycos.com
Created
on: 10/07/07
Revised
on: 05/28/01
Legalese: Nothing here is of my own
creation. Goliath and his crew belong to Buena Vista and Disney. In no way will a
profit be made from this.
Author's Note: This
story is set a month after "The Gift" and is the third part of the
Talika series.
Brief summary: The story that everyone's been waiting
for: the story that explains Elisa's
heritage.
Rating:
PG-13 due to
language and content
Heritage
Aerie building -- 10 minutes before sunset
As Owen flipped through the paper
in his hands in the
main lobby, he looked up just in time to see Elisa Maza rush into the room from
outside. Panting, she re-slung her black backpack over her shoulder and
headed for the elevator that would bring her to the Great Hall of Castle Wyvern.
"Running a little late today, Miss
Maza?" he questioned, arching his eyebrow at her in a typical Owen-like
manner.
Elisa paused briefly in order to send Owen a
dirty look before hurrying into the waiting elevator. Some people may
wonder at her rush -- after all, she had seen this transformation nearly every night
for the last two years. But the people who would say this are also those who've
never seen a gargoyle awaken. No matter how many times I see this, I
don't think I'll ever tire of it, Elisa thought dreamily to herself, thinking of
a particular lavender gargoyle.
All the plans were set in motion. After the
little Demona incident last month, Elisa had worked her tail off. Finally
all of her hard work was paying off, for tonight was the start of her two week
vacation. She had told Captain Chavez that she was going to Arizona to
spend some quality time with her family. In truth, the two weeks would be
spent in Avalon, finding the answers she'd been longing for. Everything
was taken care of, even Cagney was being looked after -- by a very upset
Matt. Mainly, he was upset that he wouldn't be able to join his partner on
Avalon. But as she had explained to him, she wasn't taking very many people with
her -- just Goliath
and Angela. In fact, the only reason Angela was going was to see her
rookery brothers and sisters again, not to mention Princess Katherine and
Guardian Tom.
As the door finally dinged open, Elisa rushed out
of the elevator into the Great Hall. She didn't even bother to stop and
greet a startled Fox and David Xanatos as Elisa pushed through the large doors
into the courtyard. Sunset was almost upon her. Full out running
now, Elisa panted up the many steps till she shared the largest tower with one
other: the stone form of Goliath.
Elisa had only time enough to catch her breath
before the show began. Looking up in child-like wonder, Elisa watched as
Goliath broke out of his stone sleep. As he roared his awakening, he stretched luxuriously, sending small stone particles in every direction.
Turning, Goliath faced the human he knew would be
there. "Elisa!" he said happily, beaming at his human
love. Stepping down from his perch he quickly wrapped her in a warm
embrace of wings and arms.
"Hey Big Guy, ready to leave?"
"Yes, but... Elisa, your clothes!"
Goliath stammered as her clothing finally registered in his befuddled
mind. Gone was her traditional Detective's uniform: form fitting dark blue
jeans, black shirt, black shoes, and red jacket. In their place were a lighter colored, low-waisted baggy
pair blue jeans, a white polo shirt that ended
below her naval, where her jeans began, and a pair of brown hiking boots.
If she lifted her arms above her head, her smooth brown stomach was sure to
show.
"Yeah, well since I'm officially on vacation
now, I figured it was about time to go without the work clothes. You don't
like it?" she asked, a slight frown touching her face.
"Of course, I was just
surprised." In all honesty, he would have loved Elisa in anything she
wore. She was beautiful, plain and simple.
"Good," Elisa said. Backing away
from her love, she walked towards the opening to the stairs. In her haste
she had dropped her backpack. Reaching down, she slung the bag once more
over her shoulder.
"Is that all you are taking?" Goliath
questioned, raising an eye ridge in surprise. Even though he and Angela
wouldn't need anything, he was under the impression that it was different for
human females.
"Yeah, I always was one to pack light.
Besides, if I need anything, a simple spell will be all it takes."
Nodding his understanding, Goliath quickly gestured to the courtyard
below. "Then let us go -- the rest of the clan
will be waiting."
"You're right, let's hit the road."
"Hit the road?" Goliath
asked, the confusion evident on his face.
"It's an expression, it means 'let's
go'" Elisa explained with a small, patient smile. Even after two
years in this new world, the large gargoyle could still be taken be surprise at
the strange idioms that her race used.
Smiling, Elisa then allowed herself to be lifted
into Goliath's strong arms. When Goliath was sure he had her secured, he
jumped from the tower and glided down below to the courtyard. Assembled
there was the clan, David Xanatos, Fox, and Owen.
"Are you ready to go, Angela?" Elisa
asked as Goliath lowered her to the ground.
"Yes, I cannot wait to see everyone
again!"
"Good," Goliath said, smiling warmly at
his daughter. Turing serious once more, he turned to Brooklyn and said,
"I'm leaving you in charge of the clan once more, but this time I know that
I will be back shortly."
"Take your time Goliath, we'll be just
fine," Brooklyn reassured, a confident look on his face. Please
don't take too long being what he was really thinking. During Goliath's
Avalon trip, Brooklyn quickly discovered that leading the clan wasn't all it was
cracked up to be.
"Well then," Goliath said, turning to
face Elisa and Angela, "let's be going."
"Not yet, Big Guy," Elisa said, holding
up her hand as she walked next to the three humans
standing off to the side. "Fox, do you have a message for your mother?"
"I don't have a mother," Fox
replied, her
eyes flashing.
Nodding in understanding, Elisa then turned to
Owen. "As for you Owen, I'd like to repay you in some way for helping
Goliath and I with the whole Demona issue a while back."
"There's no need. Seeing as how the
human Elisa Maza is still needed for Destiny to be fulfilled, and how you were
unwilling to allow anyone to take your place, I was merely doing my job... it
was my fulfilling my Fate."
Puzzled by the manservant's cryptic answer, Elisa simply stared at him for a few
moments before shaking away her confusion. "Okay... well, Fate or not, I'd still like to give you
something in return."
"I assure you, Detective Maza, there is
nothing for you to give me."
"I think so...
the Cauldron of Life doth
turn your hand to stone leaving you with no feeling to the bone. So
now this fae magic created from the time of dawn will leave Owen Burnett and be
completely gone." Once more Elisa's eyes flashed bright green as
energy left her body to surround Owen Burnett's stone hand. As the magic
departed, Owen flexed his now flesh hand.
"My thanks, Detective Maza," Owen said,
not missing a beat or changing his facial expression.
Turning back to the clan, who was giving her an
assortment of astonished looks, Elisa said, "Now we can leave."
Grabbing onto Goliath and Angela, Elisa said, "Take us to where I want to
go... take us to le lac de l'eau." The mist surrounded them quickly
and then they were gone in the blink of an eye.
When the mist cleared, Goliath found he and his
companions on the edge of a beautiful, yet familiar lake. "Where are
we?" Goliath asked, turning to Elisa.
"The lake in Central Park... don't you
recognize it?"
"Now I do, but I was confused by what you
said at the end of your spell."
"Yes," Angela said, turning from her
survey of their surroundings to face Elisa. "What does 'le lac de
l'eau' mean?"
"It's French. Roughly translated it's
something like 'the lake of water.'"
"French? Is that a language?"
Goliath asked, trying the new word on his tongue.
"Uh, yeah... you speak it in France,"
Elisa explained. At their confused expression, Elisa sighed and thought when we get back, a geography lesson is definitely in
order. "Never
mind. Let's boogie!" At Elisa's continued use of slang, Goliath
and Angela became more and more confused. Ignoring their puzzlement, Elisa
faced the lake and said, "Mists of Avalon come to thee, bring the skiff and
answer my plea. Avalon we doth desire, send the boat and don't raise my
sire." As Elisa's eyes glowed green, Goliath and Angela faced the
dark waters. The trees began to sway in a sudden breeze and their view
became obscured by fog. Then, the skiff appeared as they knew it
would. "You know, I never would have thought that I'd be happy to see
this thing again," Elisa continued thoughtfully.
"I know... I'm half tempted to sink it right
now," Angela growled.
"Well," Goliath said, breaking their
silence, "let's get going. We can't sit here and stare at the skiff
all night." Reaching down, Goliath gently picked Elisa up and set her
gently into the skiff. Angela followed suit by jumping in, leaving Goliath
to push the boat from shore before joining them. As he used the pole to
push them deeper, the mist surrounded them.
"Gee, doesn't this bring back
memories?" Elisa asked wryly.
Luckily the trip was short, for the mists began
to clear before them in a matter of minutes. In front of the skiff now lay
the beautiful sandy shores of Avalon. They barely had time to pull the boat
ashore before a thump was heard behind them.
Turning, Angela was greeted with the sight of her
rookery brother and sister, Gabriel and Ophelia.
"Angela!" they yelled happily as they
ran forward to wrap her in a warm embrace.
"Rookery
brother, sister... it's been so
long! I've missed you so much!"
"So long?" Gabriel asked, releasing her
from his hug. "Why it's only been a few months since you've
left."
"A few months here turns out to be half a
year in the outside world," Angela explained.
"Have you not reached Man-hat-tan yet?"
Ophelia asked. "Why did Avalon send you here?"
"Oh, we made it there months ago! It's
everything Elisa said it would be!" Angela gushed. "Buildings
taller than the clouds, devices that seem like magic, a machine called
television which is like a moving tapestry..."
"Whoa, whoa Angela!" Elisa cut in,
laughing at her friend's enthusiasm. "You can tell them everything
later... right now maybe we should go and see Princess Katherine and Guardian
Tom at the castle first.
"You are correct, Elisa," Goliath said,
smiling warmly at his love. Scooping her up, Goliath placed her on his
back and began climbing the high cliff. The younger gargoyles fell in
behind him, following obediently. When they were high enough, the
gargoyles jumped from their positions and soared into the night sky.
Castle on Avalon
As the group landed in the open courtyard, they
were quickly surrounded by curious gargoyles. Goliath, Angela, and Elisa
were soon swamped by the many questions. Luckily, the questions died away
as Princess Katherine and Guardian Tom broke through the mob of young gargoyles.
"What in Heaven's name be goin' on
here?" the Princess asked in her thick Scottish accent. "Oh my,
Goliath, Angela, Elisa!" she gasped as she caught sight of the trio.
"What ye three be doin' here? Why has Avalon sent ye here
'gain?"
"Avalon didn't," Goliath said.
Bowing at the waist, Goliath then followed with, "M'lady."
"Ach, don't be doin' that before th'
eggs. Ye'll be puttin' strange ideas in their heads," Princess said
good naturedly.
"But, then why are ye here Goliath?"
Tom asked curiously.
"I have business with the King and Queen of
Avalon," Elisa answered for them all, stepping forth.
"What business would ye have
wit' Lord
Oberon and th' Queen Titania? And who summoned th' skiff?" the
Guardian asked.
"A long story," Elisa sighed.
"One that will have to wait till later. Now that I'm here, I'm eager
to finally get the answers I've been waiting for."
"But of course Elisa, we'll be waitin' for
yer return then," Princess said, a look of bewilderment on her face.
"Will Angela be accompanying ye?"
"No, I think that Angela has some things to
catch up with all of you," Elisa said, smiling at the eager looks of
the gargoyles' faces.
Angela
turned with a hopeful look upon her face
to Goliath. "Father, can I really stay behind?"
"Yes, Elisa and I will be back by
dawn," Goliath said, smiling at her enthusiasm. Seeing Elisa's
eagerness, Goliath scooped her into his arms and began their climb. Then,
it was off to the royal palace of Avalon.
The throne room, royal palace of Avalon
"My King Oberon..." Selene said.
"And Queen Titania..." Phoebe broke in.
"Goliath and the human Elisa Maza wish to
have a moment of your time," Luna finished.
"Ah, the time has come..." Oberon
muttered thoughtfully.
"Send them in Weird Sisters," Titania
commanded and not only a moment later Goliath and Elisa were
ushered into the grand room. "Goliath," the queen began, smiling
warmly, "leader of the gargoyles of
Manhattan. Elisa Maza, human police detective and friend of the clan,
welcome."
"What can we do for you?" Oberon asked.
"Your
highnesses," Elisa said, bowing
elegantly before them. "I have many questions, and have been told by
an... acquaintance that my answers could be found within you both."
"What are these questions?" Oberon
asked slowly, hoping that it wasn't the questions he was thinking of.
"Why can I perform magic?" Elisa asked
quickly.
Groaning, Oberon did a very un-King like thing as
he hid his head in his hands.
Not waiting for an answer, Elisa continued firing
her questions. "Where am I getting the knowledge to use the magic
from? What the hell is going on?"
"Talika, you've really outdone yourself this
time," Oberon muttered quietly.
"Who is Talika?" Goliath asked,
overhearing Oberon.
"She is the protector of the human
race," Titania answered, her husband still groaning at the present mess he
suddenly found himself thrust in.
"The protector?" Elisa asked, raising
her eyebrow in disbelief.
"Here, you may want to sit down,"
Titania said. With a wave of her hand, two chairs appeared behind Goliath
and Elisa. "My explanation may take awhile," she explained.
Not even blinking an eye, Elisa waved at the
chairs, making them disappear and said, "No thanks, we'll stand."
"Very well. Long ago, The Creator of
our world created..."
"The Creator?" Goliath asked.
"Well, it has no name or gender, so we've
dubbed it The Creator," Oberon explained. "Now, if Titania may
continue..." he asked crossly.
Goliath merely nodded his go ahead.
"Anyway, like I was saying, The
Creator created the two races -- the humans and the fae, at the birth of our
world. At first, the races lived in harmony amongst one another.
That peace was not to last, however, and The Creator soon realized that
the two races needed guidance. So, The Creator created three beings to
serve as the races' protector, or at times, leader. Oberon and I were
given the power to govern over the fae, the power split between us. In the
beginning, Oberon and I lived amongst the fae, allowing freedom and free will
amongst our kind, the second race. This soon proved to be a mistake, for
the fae were too mischievous for their own good," Titania explained with a
wry smile at the gathered fae in the Great Hall. "Therefore,"
she continued, "a decision was
made and Oberon and I stepped forth and announced our presence. We then
created Avalon, moving the second race here. So we became the King and
Queen of Avalon, the fae our children. As for the humans, they too were
given a protector, Talika. Unlike us, she was alone," she continued,
a haunted look entering her eyes as she said these words, "and therefore had
powers equal only to that of Oberon and mine combined. For a while, she
ruled over the humans as their Queen. But about the time of our relocation,
she stepped down, intending to give her kind a chance
to thrive on their own. Of course she is immortal like us, but to keep
occupied, she took on the life of a mortal, like we often do. She is
'born,' so to speak, to her selected mortal parents. Like mortals, she can
be killed or die of natural causes, like old age. When this occurs, her
identity is no longer valid and to avoid questions of her miraculous return to
life, she allows the world to believe her dead. She then returns to her
original form for a time before resuming the cycle of birth."
"So she has always been alone?" Goliath
asked, his heart reaching out to this protector.
"For the most part... yes," Titania whispered, that same faraway look
entering her eyes.
Elisa, not noticing this, felt something familiar about the story that she was
being told, something that tugged at her senses. "But why has she never had children?"
she asked, her heart aching for the poor woman.
"The Creator has given us only the power to
bear children with our selected mate," Oberon spoke up, a deep sadness in
his eyes.
"You mean you two are able to have children
but she isn't? Why?" Elisa asked, trying to absorb the information
being offered.
"Another long story that shall have to wait
for another day," Titania explained.
"But wait a minute. You've talked
about the humans and faes... what about the gargoyles? I thought we were
the second race and you the third," Goliath asked curiously.
"Ah, the gargoyles. Now that's an
interesting story indeed," Oberon said, getting that same faraway look in his
eyes. "You see, one day Talika showed up on our doorstep. She
said that the world was not as it should and that she had visions of a race
that was a combination of the fae and the humans. In order to fulfill the
dream, she needed our combined strength to back her. So, with The
Creator's permission, the gargoyles were created. The magic of the fae is
what allows you to turn to stone at dawn to heal, while you have their humanoid
appearance and their mannerisms. Since it was a mix of the two races, the
gargoyles were placed between us, becoming the second race and us the
third," he explained.
Sighing, Elisa slowly nodded her head, trying to absorb all that she had been
told. In essence, it redefined all of the beliefs that she had been taught
as a child and was starting a massive headache that seemed to creep over
everything else. While it still fell in with the idea of a God, the God of
many religions, it still was far different than anything she had ever before
believed or thought possible. But then, her mind quickly drifted back to
her own dilemma, that which had brought them there in the first place. "While this is all very illuminating,"
she began, wearily rubbing her temples before meeting the eyes of the King and
the Queen, "I fail
to see what this has to do with me and my new found magical ability."
"But don't you see?" Titania asked
urgently. "The protector of the human race is called Talika.
Elisa Maza, you are Talika."
"What?" Goliath asked, unconsciously
draping an arm around Elisa's slim form. Deep down, he knew that Titania
was leading to something like this. He had figured that Talika had found a
way to have children after all, and that Elisa was one of her grand-grand-grand
to infinity-grand kids. He had no idea that Elisa was
Talika herself.
Baffled, Elisa quickly shook her head. "If that's true, then why didn't you say
something when we first met? I'm sure this Talika person doesn't usually
wipe her memories each time she takes on a new life," Elisa pointed out
quickly,
trying to poke a hole in Titania's theory.
"It's true," Oberon admitted slowly, wiping against his own forehead,
"that Talika doesn't usually wipe her memories -- she must have really messed up this
time."
"Talika also usually takes on a different
appearance with her mortal lives. This time however, she has not changed
forms," Titania continued, eyeing the woman who stood before them.
"Still, we did not recognize you. It is probably a side
condition of her, or your, spell. Like I said, you're more powerful than
we are alone, so it's possible for deception... we can make you remember
everything if you like," Titania offered.
Biting back a disbelieving laugh, Elisa quickly shook her head. She still
wasn't buying this idea of her being this immortal protector of the human race
deal -- she was just a normal detective.. with admittedly not normal
friends. Still, the offer got to her nonetheless and ate at her
curiosity. "How?"
"A simple spell by Oberon and I can override
yours."
"But what will happen to Elisa?"
Goliath broke in, his voice a low growl as his arm tightened around her small
form. "What
will this added knowledge and memories do to her?" he asked, worry
entering his deep voice.
"The personality of Elisa Maza should not be
affected," Oberon quickly protested. "Talika never re-created her personality, as was the
case of Puck and Owen Burnett," he explained, a sad look hidden on his
features as he spoke of Puck.
"But..." Goliath began.
"I'll do it," Elisa broke in
quickly, surprising them both.
Turning, Goliath stared at his love. Seeing
the set line of her lips, he knew that there would be no convincing her
otherwise. Still, he had to try, if only so he could be selfish. If
she went through with this, Elisa may no longer love him. According to
Oberon and Titania, she did have other loves... what if she decided, or
remembered that her love for the others was stronger. "Elisa, are you
sure about this? What if..."
"Goliath, think of the possibilities!"
Elisa broke in, excitement beginning to build within her. "If they're
right -- if they're right in who they say that I am and if I reclaimed my rule, I'd be able to put an end to
wars, illness, poverty... everything wrong with our world!"
Sighing, Goliath instantly knew that there would
be no convincing otherwise. "You are right my love... I will stand
beside you no matter what decisions you make or whatever happens."
Smiling her thanks, Elisa faced the King and
Queen of Avalon and said, "Make me remember."
Nodding, Titania and Oberon stood up from their
thrones and grasped hands. Speaking as one they said:
"Combine thy magique The Creator hath given.
Allow us to undo the spell she bidden.
Break now bind that holds Talika.
Break now bind that holds Talika!"
As the chanting subsided, the green mist commonly
found in the fae soared forth to wrap around Elisa's form. Instead of
fading away, as was the usual case, Elisa instead absorbed the mist. And
when her feet collapsed under her, Goliath was there to stop her quick flight to
the floor.
"Elisa, are you all
right?" Goliath asked, fear tightening like a vise around his heart.
As her strength returned, she quickly regained
her footing. Turning she smiled at her love and said, "Don't worry
Goliath, I'm fine," as a sea of memories overcame her mind. In that
instant, Elisa and Talika became one once more as the memories of her hundreds
of lifetimes filled her mind with a sadness and warmth that left her feeling
strangely full, even when before she hadn't been aware that anything had been
missing.
"Do you remember..."
"Everything," Talika finished for
him with a small smile, sending Titania and Oberon a grateful look before
looking deeply into Goliath's onyx eyes. "And not a thing has changed. I'm still the same person I
was five minutes, one year, and twelve decades ago. I haven't changed
except to have gained a little knowledge, memories, and experience," she
stated firmly, her eyes daring him to disbelieve her. "I love
you as much as I did before, if not more so."
"So, will you be reclaiming your position as
leader, Talika?" Oberon asked, breaking into their heartfelt words with
bored curiosity.
"No. With the memories came the
realization as to why I've given up the role in the first place. My kind
is in a mess right now," she admitted with a sour frown, "but I have faith that they can and will be able to pull
themselves out, without my intervention. Oh, and also... Oberon, my memory
lapse wasn't a mistake," Talika said wryly. "I wanted to
experience what a normal life would be like if I hadn't been who I am, and I
always will be. But, it seems as though my magic found me in the end."
"A wise
choice.. Talika," Goliath replied quietly to his love, stumbling over the
unfamiliar name.
At
this, she turned back to her love with a small smile. "Goliath, another decision I've made is to
keep this our little secret. I don't want to lose the life I've been
given. Therefore, the clan can't be told.. not anyone."
"I promise you, Talika, your secret is safe
with me," Goliath swore.
"That's another thing Big Guy, call me
Elisa," Elisa laughed as she elbowed him gently in the ribs.
"Gladly, Elisa," Goliath said, giving
her one of his rare smiles.
"What will you do now, Tal... Elisa?"
Titania asked of her friend.
"Well..." Elisa trailed off as she turned and raised her eyebrows at
Goliath. Seeing his nod, she quickly made up her mind. "I think
we'll give Angela a chance to see her rookery brothers and sisters and enjoy a
short vacation here on Avalon before returning home... I shall see you soon my
friends," she finished with a nod at the King and Queen.
"Till then, Elisa Maza," Oberon said
warmly, smiling one of his rare smiles.
Castle Wyvern -- four nights later
Sunrise was almost upon Goliath and Elisa.
They were sharing one final kiss before Goliath's stone sleep overtook him.
Goliath, Elisa, and Angela had returned home a
couple of hours ago. Eleven days had passed in the real world. As
far as the explanation went, everyone now believed that her magic ability was
the side result of Puck's adventure with Titania's mirror -- when he had turned
her into a gargoyle. Elisa had talked to Owen before hand, making sure he
knew the story. He agreed only on one condition: that she allow him to run
free for one night as Puck with his full magical ability and no Alex. It
was tough, but Elisa finally caved.
As the kiss ended, Goliath asked, "What have
your past experiences been?"
"Oh Goliath! I've done everything from
ruling kingdoms, being a pharaoh's wife, to being a peasant woman," Elisa
laughed as she waved away her memories with a careless wave. "I've
experienced it all."
"All sorts of love also," Goliath
mumbled.
"Goliath, you know how I feel about
you!" Elisa laughed before she saw the seriousness in his eyes. He
actually meant it.
"How you feel about me, yes... others,
no."
Sighing, Elisa slowly chewed her lips, choosing best how to prove it to
him. "You'll just have to take my word that
you're the one I've been waiting for since my creation."
At her words of love, a smile lighted up his
handsome face, captured for the day in stone.
"The one that The Creator intended to be my
companion... my love, the one in my visions since The New Beginning... the sole
reason I created the gargoyles..."
THE END