Chapter 20 Cost and consequence
She-Ra didn't hurt as bad as she had when the pain first started. Oddly enough, she felt as if she were floating. Floating on a cloud of air beneath a canopy of pink and blue and green, as represented in the variety of plant life which loomed above her prone form. She felt the life seeping from her, like blood from a mortal wound. It was the cost of taking a life with the sword always meant for protecting lives. She realized that now.
When the swords were first forged in the depths of Grayskull; that receptacle of power and knowledge for the most dangerous and the most potent magics; enchantments were placed upon the blades so they would never be able to be used for evil purposes. The Sword of Protection was a tool, meant to be wielded by the female half of power. Because females were the generators of the species, it was believed female powers were more intense, more potent than the male half. Females were represented by a world of mothers protecting and nurturing their young. Females were the first healers of the sick and infirm, the first protectors of civilized society. Females were the first to extend their sphere of caring for another outside their sense of self, beyond their sense of 'what's in it for me'.
Females felt emotions with an intensity unmatched by their counterparts. Compassion, empathy, concern, pity, these were the trademark emotions of the woman. A woman would fight a starving and deadly predator in an attempt to save the life of one child- even if the child was not even her own. She was the first protector, the first defender, the first mother. However, the ancients were not prejudiced or blinded by their reverence for the feminine half of magic. They knew, though women had much to recommend them, they were, inevitably, human and prone to the same weaknesses and character flaws as any other person, be they woman or man. So safeguards were added to the swords. The Sword of Protection was much more powerful than the Sword of Power. It had the ability to transform not just the wielder of the blade into the ideal woman warrior, it could transform itself into a variety of forms to aid its bearer in dispensing justice and protection to the needy. It granted its bearer the ability to commune with nature and to heal the sick. The cost it exacted was mercy.
The ancients decided with two powerful swords, to be wielded in times of greatest need, limitations must be enacted to prevent the corruption of their emissaries. So death, being the domain of the masculine half of magic, was granted to the Sword of Power. If death needed delivering it would be at the hands of the man, whose powers were somewhat limited to merely that of a great warrior. The woman would have the ability to extend mercy, thus amplifying her own innate goodness. Should the law of mercy ever be denied using the sword, the bringer of death would be judged according to the first power sword wielder. Hero. The spirit of the slain would be housed in the blade to see justice done on its behalf before being released into the ether, as one life was taken in payment for another. It was, the ancients felt, the only way to ensure its female sword wielder would respect the laws and limitations their ideologies fostered on their heroine.
All these realizations came within the few seconds it had taken her to transform. She-Ra wondered if it would have made a difference had she known prior to changing. Undoubtedly not. Glimmer was her friend as was Ahgo. Adora always was one to help the one's she cared about, no matter what the cost to herself may be. It was part of what made her so ideally suited to the task destiny had appointed for her. She found it ironic that she, Etheria's champion, loved by thousands and revered by the masses would die alone with no one she loved at her side. She closed her eyes, heaving a shaky breath. She just needed to rest for a few minutes.
Not more than five feet from her couchant body, sprawled in a graceless heap on the cold earth, a golden circle of star streams opened, and a great warrior atop a green tiger, exited the portal. His face was a mask of anguish and fear. Swiftly, he dismounted the mighty beast, and in two large strides knelt beside the fallen woman. A bellow of outraged despair flew from his thick throat, to echo inside the courtyard as he scooped the woman into his large, muscular arms. He was dressed in brown leather boots lined with dark fur, and a fur breachcloth covered his endowments. A sword similar to the woman's was sheathed carelessly, on his back. He buried his face into the flowing yellow hair, which fell over his arms like golden silk, unwilling to accept what his eyes told him to be true. He-Man; the most powerful man in the universe, buried his face in the crook of his sister's neck and wept like a child.
Swift Wind's eyes rolled back in fear as he reared up, slamming his fore- hooves into the thick doors of the castle at Mysticor. He knew Bow was inside, in a meeting with Netossa and Peekablu. He knew this because it was Bow's habit to groom Spirit nightly since Adora had been away. Bow spoke freely to Spirit of his love for the horses mistress and how he hoped they would soon be together. It seemed to soothe the man more than the beast to confide in the equine, and as Spirit, the stallion adored the attention. Shouts of alarm rose up as the wood splintered and flew in all directions. Swift Wind held his wings in tight against his back as he galloped down the massive entry hall of the castle. People poured out from the hundreds of doors within the castle, servants, guards and guests. Voices yelling at him to halt barely registered in his mind, so great was his need. Suddenly he knew a moment of stark madness as the weak link he held with his mistress faded and flickered out. Her presence was no longer in his mind. He feared what that would mean. He sent out a mental cry for her. There was no response. Then, there in front of him was the man he sought, flanked by two women and a couple guards.
"Bow!" Swift Wind cried out. The man strode boldly into the hall to meet the frightened flying beast, concern in his dark eyes.
"Swift wind!" He breathed in awe and excitement. "What's wrong? Where's She-Ra?"
"She is dying!" Swift Wind gasped. "She is asking for you. You must get on my back!" Without another word Bow climbed atop the stallion who reared on his hind legs, did a perfect one hundred and eighty degree turn and raced back the way he came. The shocked and horrified faces of the people behind him not even registering.
He-man wept great gulping sobs into the neck of his dying sister. He knew the minute she transformed something was wrong. Although light years across the galaxy and uncountable miles of space separated them, the twins shared a unique bond enabling them to feel when the other was in dire straits. Adam had been ducking one of Teela's training sessions again, when an overwhelming shock of horror and hopelessness clouded over him. He knew his sister was dying. Teela caught him racing out of the palace gates and tried to stop him. Mad with grief, he gave her no thought as he, supposedly the wimpy, cowardly prince Adam, picked up his bodyguard and captain of the guard tossing her out of his way like she was nothing more than a rag doll. He barely waited until he was out of sight before changing into He-Man and transforming Cringer, his cowering companion, into the mighty Battlecat. On the back of his feline steed, He-Man raced with a speed born of desperation, to the gates of Grayskull, which were open and waiting for him. The sorceress hadn't said anything, and he asked no questions of her as she pointed him towards the dimensional gateway which would lead him to his sister. The sorrow in her timeless eyes was confirmation enough that his worst fears would be realized.
A gentle hand reached up to stroke his blond hair from his face and Eternia's champion froze, mid-sob.
"Dear brother." She-Ra whispered, as she gazed lovingly into his tear ravaged face.
"You're alive!" He breathed. Hope rose buoyant in his grief encrusted heart. "I've got to get you to Grayskull. The Sorceress will be able to heal you. I know it." He scooped her, effortlessly into his arms and stood.
"No, brother!" She-Ra gasped. "I am dying. It is Hero's judgment. There is no escape. It is the price I must pay as holder of the Sword of Protection. The Sorceress knows. She warned me. She told me not to kill with the sword. It demands justice as I failed in delivering mercy. A life for a life. It is. unavoidable." Her voice quavered, thin and fragile, accepting of the hand fate had dealt her.
"No!" He-Man roared. His face a mirror of rage and fury. She-Ra quailed in fear for a moment as she failed to recognize the terrifying stranger in her brother's face. "I won't lose you!" He bellowed. Then, seeing her fear, he lowered his voice to a painful whisper. "I can't lose you. You are my sister. The only one who-" here his voice broke and he was forced to swallow the lump, unable to speak through his tears. After a moment he continued. "You're the only one who sees me, the real me. You are the only one who understands. No one. No one in the entire universe knows and loves me like you do. Sis- without you. I- I'll be alone again. I can't! I won't do it! Do you understand me!" He railed, his eyes had the haunted, frightened look of a child, a child who just awoke from a horrible nightmare and now needed comfort. "Only you share my burden, only you understand why Adam is- Adam. Don't you realize what that does for me, to just know you are out there, another sword bearer- my sister, and to know you love me and you feel my. my suffering.and you're not ashamed of me." He finished in a whisper as if embarrassed.
She-Ra's heart ached for him. Even as she lay dying she wanted to offer him comfort. She smoothed his hair back, her own tears echoing his own as they both wept unashamedly.
"I know you, brother. I know the pain you hide in your heart. I know how you suffer, aching for your fathers pride and respect and feeling nothing but his scorn and disgust. I know how you yearn to share all in your heart with Teela and earn again her friendship and trust. I also know you are a true hero. The heart within your chest beats with greatness and one day you will save your world as I failed to save mine. One day you will reveal to your father the hero you are and shadows of fake selves will slide off of you like unwanted specters of a shadowy past. I also know, you will never give up. Even when I am gone you will always fight and do what is right and just and necessary. Adam you are the hero I never was. I look to you brother, for strength and courage to go on. It is your light burning bright in the darkness of existence that has always guided me and relit the flame in my heart. You will endure brother. It is who you are." She-ra's face was alight with compassion and tenderness and something inside of Adam- who still lurked in the mind of He-Man broke, wailing in denial.
"No, She-Ra. You're wrong. This time, you're wrong. I can't go back to being without you. I won't. Don't you see, knowing that you are alive, that you know me as you say you do. That is what gives me the courage and will to go on when father is at his worst and Teela at her most cutting. When I hear the guards laughing behind my back as they refer to me as the cowardly prince, it's okay because I know one person, just one person in all the universe knows me and who I really am."
"Adam, She-Ra whispered, "I am not the only one who knows, you will not be alone."
"Yes I will. They know my secret. They don't know me, the me inside. I always have to be strong for them. Can't you see, with you, only you, can I just be me!"
"Brother." She-Ra whispered, unable to ease his grief.
"She-Ra, He-Man!" A concerned voice yelled. It was Bow and bearing him with eyes wild with worry was her rainbow hued friend and companion Swift Wind. She-Ra felt a sense of peace descend over her and a smile of true happiness lit up her ashen face. Her sapphire eyes drank in the sight of the man she loved.
He was thinner, she noted critically. His abdominal muscles were leaner, harder. A small feminine thrill of appreciation rushed through her. He had grown out his beard into a devilish looking goatee. It gave him a wickedly roguish cast that made her heart beat faster. His face was slightly gaunt, and large circles were under his eyes, as if he hadn't been getting enough sleep. She could see days worth of tension in the way he carried his shoulders.
"Bow." She-Ra whispered. There was such tenderness, such a flood of love in the way she said his name that Bow froze, his eyes locking with hers. In that moment Bow realized He-Man was not holding She-Ra. He was holding Adora, dressed as She-Ra and she was hurt. Immediately panic flooded his limbs and were it not the need in her eyes drawing him closer Bow knew he would have fallen, unable to support his weight on his knees turned jelly with fear.
"Adora, what were you thinking?!" He uttered harshly as he moved to her side, pulling her from He-man's unresisting arms and pressing her head against his chest. He-Man only allowed the archer to steal his sister from his arms because he was in shock, hearing the flamboyant rebel address his sister as Adora, not She-Ra. How did he know?
She-Ra gazed up into the eyes of the man she loved and knowing she would soon leave him she pulled his head toward her. Time stilled. The world melted away. In that moment their was only the two of them. She refused to close her eyes as she placed her lips on his. His mouth was warm and soft as it yielded to her will. His arms were strong and full of life as they embraced her with a promise to never let go. His chest was so hard and firm atop her own soft and pliant one, she was overwhelmed with a bittersweet passion. Tentatively, she traced the outline of his top lip with her tongue. Bow groaned, taking command of the chaste waltz of mouths. His tongue plundered the recesses of her honeyed opening, dueling tenderly with her, tasting her deeply.. Taking her with a fervency of pent up longing and desire he had been unaware of till that moment. She yielded to the fiery onslaught, answering his passion with a call of her own. She watched his eyes close in ecstasy as his tongue danced with hers. He tasted of spice and salt. His smell was that of a man, strong and clean with a slight woodsy aroma, probably from the wax he used on his bow. Her trembling hands caressed the craggy lines of his face. He broke the kiss, catching her hand in his own. "What have you done?" He whispered with concern.
"She is dying. If you don't quit pawing at my sister and allow me to take her to Grayskull then there is no hope." Bow paled.
"Dying? No!" His panicked gaze turned back to his beloved, noting a small wince of pain on her face, the only movement of her otherwise unnaturally still body. "You little fool!" He snarled, even as he clutched her to him. "We do not need She-Ra so much that we need you pretending to be her and getting hurt!" He-Man was startled by the man's outburst.
"Come if you like, but we need to get her to Grayskull now!" Bow followed the hulking man, unwilling to relinquish the prize he held in his arms. Swift Wind and Battlecat followed docilely, close behind. The five of them went through the portal.
On the otherside in a large dark chamber, with only torchlight reflecting eerie shadows on the walls, awaited a woman who seemed to embody strength and compassion. She was tall, as tall as She-Ra, she seemed to be covered in some form of formal, spiritual attire of feathers, complete with a feathered headdress of the ivory plumes. A brilliant curved beak like that of an eagle framed by two, large, golden eyes seemed to gaze at him from atop the woman's head. Her torso was covered in ivory feathers, the snowy down accentuating her tiny waist and a feathered cape of blue and orange trailed from her shoulders to her ankles. Her boot's traveled up her leg, stopping mid-calf in a royal blue shade to match her cape. She was lean and soft and femininely curved and her clear blue eyes seemed ageless in her otherwise young face with a soft sculpted nose and high cheekbones.
He-Man noted they had exited the portal in the Sorceress' resting chamber rather than the great hall of Grayskull.
"Bow, welcome to Eternia. Please, place She-Ra on the bed." Bow did as the woman told him, taking great care to lay Adora down as gently as possible on the large mattress which was fronted by a teal headboard carved in the shape of a bird of prey.
"It's not She-Ra, it's Adora." Bow said quietly. Not taking his eyes off of Adora's resting form. Her eyes kept closing, only to snap open moments later as if in panic. He closed his fingers tightly over her hand. He-Man moved to the other side of the bed, taking her other hand in his own. Both men had about them an aura of grave concern.
"You must save her." He-man uttered harshly, finally taking his eyes off his sister to glare at the Sorceress standing so quietly at the foot of the bed. The Sorceress lowered her eyes from his hostile gaze, clasping her hands in front of her.
"I can not. It is not within my power." She said it softly and with chilling finality. He-man and Bow both responded immediately.
"What?!" Bow shouted. "She has no wounds! It can't be that bad. Can it?" His voice harsh in his own ears as his eyes traveled frantically between the Sorceress of Grayskull and He-man. He- man rose to his feet, withdrawing his sword, he plunged it into the stone floor.
"If she dies so too does all your dreams of freedom. I will turn my back on you, on the kingdom and on He-man." His voice was laced with desperate grief as he continued. "I was just a boy, a child no less, when you in all your wisdom-" and he hissed the word with such venom the Sorceress flinched at the hatred she heard in it, even as she understood it was sorrow which made him speak so. "-saw fit to bestow upon me the title of heroic champion. I have endured much. I have fought non stop for nine years now to keep the forces of Skeletor at bay. My closest friends and family think me a vile coward. They are ashamed of me! I endure it all, never have I complained or balked at fulfilling my duty. I tell you this. If she-Ra died. He-Man dies with her." Bow stared at the warrior, not understanding.
"He-Man, don't you understand, this is not She-Ra. This is Adora, Adam's sister. Why would you want to die unless-" Bow's jaw dropped, "your in love with her too!" He-man glanced at Bow in irritation before touching the hilt of the Power Sword. In a voice full of authority and command He- man cried out.
"By the Power, of Grayskull!" He-man was surrounded by blinding and golden fireworks. Flashes of shimmering flaming lights seemed to surround and embrace his powerful form.
"He-Man, no!" The Sorceress cried. Too late.
"Let the power, return!" The Sorceress' face was a mask of stunned horror as He-Man transformed before Bow's astonished eyes. In his place was Adam. The fool hardy but well intentioned prince who courageously stormed the Fright Zone to save his twin, Adora, from the clutches of the Horde seven years ago.
"I am He-man my friend." Adam said to Bow's shocked face, no hint of a smile in his voice as he sat again at his sisters side. "As Adora is She- Ra." He whispered in a broken voice. Bow could only stare down at the woman clinging to his hands.
"It is time. Hero has come to collect her spirit." The Sorceress stated in an eerie whisper. Adora's breathing stopped. Suddenly at the Sorceress' side was a man. He was dark skinned and appeared to have large black, bug like eyes. He was also dressed in a garb, similar to He-mans. Dark furry shorts, dark furred boots he sat in a chair that seemed to hover over the floor. His dark facial hair curled giving him a wooly appearance. Adam looked up at him and hope flickered in his eyes.
"Zodac!" He breathed.
"Who?" Bow said in confusion. He-Man ignored him.
"Zodac, can you save my sister?"
"No, champion. I cannot." The man's voice was musical and compelling, in spite of his concern for Adora, Bow felt his eyes drawn to the man. "You however, may be able to help her, if it is your fate."
"How?" Adam demanded. "I'll do anything to save her."
"No!" The Sorceress gasped. "Zodac, I beg of you, leave it be. Adora broke the laws of the ancients, not Adam. He has his own Destiny." Her large eyes were full of fear and concern.
"His destiny is not yet decided." Came the mans calm answer.
"I'll have no part of this!" The Sorceress cried. "I've done enough, sacrificed enough. Asked enough of this boy! I will not ask this. I will never ask this." She then turned to Adam and placed her hand on his face. "Adam, please, think before you act. Remember there is always a choice. Think of what your sister would want." Adam tore his face from her hands.
"I will do what I must to save my sister."
"I will do what I must to save Adora." Bow said with equal conviction, his eyes hard as they glared at the man exuding an aura of unquestionable power. "I love her."
"Yes. You will help as well. Adora will not willingly leave the place of spirits when she realizes what the price is."
"Tell us." He-Man commanded.
"As you now realize, there are protections placed upon the blades both you and your sister carry. These protections were necessary to insure no corrupt person ever gained influence over the powers placed in them. When your sister took a life using the sword of the ancients she set in motion events put in place centuries ago when the swords were created. Hero, the first bearer of a weapon of power helped forge these master weapons. He, and a nameless sorcerer foresaw the day when the universe would be troubled by a great and terrible evil. In that day champions would be chosen to wield the swords and protect the ideas of justice, mercy, freedom and life. The champions they foresaw were you, Adam and your sister, Adora. But Hero simply could not allow such powerful weapons to be unprotected and possibly used to destroy the very ideas he sought to protect. With the consent of the ancients he enchanted the blades to hold the powers of male and female. Only the less powerful, male weapon could be used to kill, to carry out final justice. And not without serious consequences to its bearer. You have never used your sword to kill, have you, prince Adam?" Zodac questioned. Adam shook his head.
"Pray you never do. The day you kill using your sword you will experience the death of the person you slay a thousand times over."
"Is that what is happening to Adora?" He-Man asked, his eyes moving to his sister's still form.
"No. There is a greater penalty that goes with the woman's sword. The Sword of Protection grants much more than super strength to its emissary. It grants them telepathic abilities to commune with people and with nature. It has the ability to transform into any weapon the bearer desires. It has the ability to heal the injured and sick. It has but one rule to its use. Where the Sword of Power extends final justice to the wicked, the Sword of Protection offers them mercy. In this sword, Hero applied one principle that would be irrevocable and bind the bearer to their fate should they kill using it. By exacting the highest penalty for the taking of a life, Hero hoped to affirm the highest value on life." Zodac finished. Bow and Adam stared blankly at the cosmic enforcer.
"And that means?" Bow snapped impatient.
"It means a life for a life. This I cannot change. I can send you into the sword. That is where Adora's life force is being pulled to. There, in that realm between life and death there is a veil. You will know it when you are there. I will send two spirits into the blade. Only two spirits may emerge. You two, Adam and Bow, may enter the sword with my powers. Once you cross the veil there will be no turning back. Adora will be there. You must convince her to cross the veil with one of you. The other will stay behind and take her place. In this way Adora will live and she will be allowed to become She-Ra again, the law fulfilled, a life for a life." Adam turned to look at Bow, resolve alight in his eyes.
"You bring her back." He said, his voice grim.
"She'll never agree." Bow answered automatically his mind reeling. It all seemed so unfair. Someone would die tonight, there was no getting around it.
"She doesn't have to know." Adam said firmly. Bow locked eyes with the young prince. He nodded once.
"No, she doesn't." They both turned to Zodac. The Cosmic enforcer stood from his chair and walked to the seemingly slumbering princess. He withdrew the sword from her scabbard and lay it atop her still form. He then put her hands on its hilt. She looked like a warrior woman, laid to rest for her final sleep. Bow shuddered at the thought.
"Place a hand on the sword both of you." Zodac commanded them. Neither hesitated. Their was a burst of light. The world faded.
Bow found himself standing beside Adam in a place of white light. Nothing existed around them but empty whiteness. He looked down and though he felt the floor beneath his feet he still wasn't sure if it was there. Adam began walking. Bow kept pace. Suddenly he detected a ripple in the air in front of them.
"That must be the veil Zodac was talking about. Bow said in hushed tones. Adam nodded. He then turned, looking Bow in the eyes.
"You take care of her. Love her. I know that is the one thing she wants more than anything else in this world. To be loved. She never knew love as a child. She was raised to be a soldier. She had no friends or family. Anyone she became close to was eventually transferred. Love her. Someday, convince her we did the right thing. Let her know I have no regrets. This is what I need to do. I couldn't save her when she was taken from me the first time. I'll die before anyone takes her away again. Even death can't stand against me." He smiled. "I am the most powerful man in the universe." Adam turned to the rippling veil. "Adora!" He called. "Adora can you here me?" The white seemed to swallow his voice.
"Adam?" A faint, frightened voice answered. "Adam is it you?" Then from the light came Adora. She was a vision of loveliness that took Bow's breath away. Bow stepped forward, crossing the boundary of the veil separating them. "Bow!" She cried, before launching herself into his arms. He held her close to him. Reveling in the feel of her body pressed against his, the rise and fall of her chest, the warmth of her skin. She drew back, looking into his eyes.
"Why are you guys here?" She asked fearfully.
"We came to take you home." Bow answered, raising one of her delicate hands to his face, kissing the back of her knuckles. She seemed to shine, he thought, like a delicate star he could hold in his arms. Adora stepped toward the veil only to be brought up short. He eyes flooded with tears.
"You can't. I can't leave here. It's my punishment for killing." Bow enfolded her in his strong embrace. Smoothing his hand through her hair, kissing her head.
"Shhh. It will be alright. We both came because we both have to be with you. Only with both Adam and myself can we create enough power to break through the veil holding you here." Adora leaned back and gazed excitedly into his eyes.
"Really!" She gasped, not daring to believe it. Bow smiled.
"I would never lie to you."
"I told you the Sorceress could save you." Adam said, before stepping across the barrier. Adora turned from Bow and nestled into her brothers arms.
"Oh Adam. I was so frightened. I knew I had to except Hero's judgment. He is here you know." She whispered, clutching his shirt in her hands, looking around in fear. "I know he is here with us. Watching us. I feel him." Adam held his sister tightly.
"Little sister, you need never fear, I will always protect you." His eyes were sad as he looked down at her. Adora didn't notice however as she turned back to Bow. Flinging her arms around his neck she kissed him. Their mouths clung together in a frenzy of tortured passion. Adora pulled her lips from his to rain tiny kisses down his throat and on his face.
"I love you!" She cried through her kisses. "I love you with everything that I am!" She pressed her body hungrily against his, burying one hand in his hair while running the other over the plains and valleys of his chest and abdomen. "I was so afraid I was dead and would never tell you how I feel."
"I love you too. More than life my princess of power." Adora's eyes widened. Bow grinned, tenderly cupping her face in his hand. "All those times when I was torn over who I wanted, you or She-Ra. All the times one of you would torment me about the other. I really only wanted one woman. You. It was always you." Adora melted into his side, tears of happiness spilling from her long ebony lashes. She clung to him tightly.
"Let's go home." She cried. Bow held her tighter for another second or two.
"I think you need to pay your brother some attention." He said carefully, his voice strangely neutral. Adora laughed, delightedly. She turned to hug her brother. Adam clutched her tight, trying to think of a way to say good bye without arousing her suspicions when without warning he was given a powerful shove. Instinctively he clutched Adora tighter, ready to defend her against all harm. He and his sister fell through the veil separating the world of the living from that of the dead. Bow stood solemnly on the other side.
Adam let out a roar of outrage. "No! Bow you fool, why? Why would you do this?!" Adam scrambled to his feet. Adora scooted backwards, not understanding what had happened. Adam rushed the veil, ready to switch places, but was rebuffed by an implacable, barely visible, rippling wall. He slammed his fist into the wall to vent his shock and fury. "Why? I thought we agreed! I was the one going to stay! Me! She needs you! She loves you, you bastard! How could you do this to her!" Adam railed.
"Do what?" Adora asked, her joy fading to be replaced by creeping panic. "Do what, brother! What has he done!" Adora tried to cross the barrier, but found herself rebuffed as well. Shock settled over her features as the implications sank in.
"No." She whispered softly. Raising anguished aqua eyes to Bow's sadly shimmering mahogany gaze she asked in a broken whisper. "What have you done?" Her lip trembled as horror swept over her. She knew, without being told. Her hands were splayed on the shimmering wall between her and the man she loved. Bow raised his hands, splaying his own atop hers. So near, yet so far. Bow smiled. It was a beautiful smile full of tenderness and love.
"I did what you would have done in my place. I saved you. The only way I could." Adora gazed at him mutely. Adam ran a hand through his hair.
"It was supposed to be me. Why?" He breathed. Bow answered, never taking his eyes off the woman he loved.
"Because the woman I loved taught me to put others before my own wants. Etheria needs She-Ra as its champion more than it needs the archer, Bow. From what I hear, your planet needs its own champion. I was the logical choice to stay behind."
"Bow, you sonofabitch! You never do the logical thing, you think with your heart, it's what I have always loved about you." Adora breathed painfully. Bow laughed.
"I did it again sweeting. I thought, Adora will love again, but she only has one brother. When the war is over, go home Adora. Home to your family. Know what it is to be loved unconditionally. That is my gift to you. When you return home, after our world is free, your family," his eyes turned briefly to Adam, "your whole family, will be waiting for you." It was too much. Adora slowly sank to the ground unable to do anything but cry.
"You take care of her. Love her. You know it's the one thing she wants more than anything else in this world. To be loved. She was raised to be a soldier. Show her how to be a part of a family. Love her. Someday, convince her we did the right thing. Let her know, I have no regrets. This is what I need to do. Remember your promise. You said you would die before anyone harms her again. And know this, death can't stand against me." He smiled. "I may not be the most powerful man in the universe, but I am the man who loves her." Adam nodded, unable to speak. Finally he bent to his sobbing sister, to lift her up. She fought him.
"No!" She screamed. "No! I won't leave him!" She punched her brother, shoving him away from her. Adam was at a loss.
"Adora," Bow commanded, his voice stern, "Adora, you have to live. You have to live for us. For me." Adora looked up at him, at his pleading face, a small whimper escaping as she shook her head no.
"I can't leave you to this." She cried.
"So our people will die slaves?" He bit out harshly. Adora reacted as if he had slapped her.
"But I love you." She whispered, the words like a talisman. "I won't leave you to face the consequences of my actions alone.
"I'm not alone. Never. You are here. With me. Always in my heart as I will be with you." Adora shook her head again.
"No!" She grunted, it's not the same. Uh-uh. I won't do it, I won't go! I want to be with you!" She keened the last part even as she knew it was impossible. Bow stood abruptly.
"Remember Adam," Bow spoke, his voice harsh and gravelly, "Love her."
"Good Journey, my friend." Adam said, saluting him by placing a fist over his heart and thumping his chest twice before raising his arm in farewell. "Good Journey." Bow nodded curtly.
"Free my people, She-Ra." His voice cracked. Adora looked up to see tears streaming from his eyes. In a softer, higher voice, cracking with emotions he begged her, "free my home." He turned and walked away, leaving her to gaze, stricken as he was swallowed by the white.
"Boooooooow!" Adora howled. Like a mad woman, she rose, slamming herself into the veil. Over and over, screaming his name until her throat was hoarse and raw and she couldn't see through her tears. Sometime between Bow's departure and her loss of sanity Adam restrained her by the arms to prevent her from hurting herself. She fought him like a woman possessed, her only thought to get through the veil. Finally, Adam, exhausted by her struggling, hurting just as much as his sister, had enough. He threw her over his shoulders and turned toward the place where he and Bow started. The farther he walked the less real things became, until, quite suddenly, he was beside his sister in the bedchamber of the Sorceress. He looked up to see Zodac gazing solemnly down at him. A small cry drew his gaze to the corner of the room. The Sorceress was gazing at him, as if she didn't believe her eyes.
"You live! By the ancients!" She breathed, her relief enormous.
A sudden scream pierced the stillness. Adam turned to Adora, still She-Ra from the transformation. She had risen from her back to clutch the body of her dead love. Bow was still as stone in her arms as she held him, sliding to the floor. She clutched his unmoving body against her chest, supporting his head in the crook of her arm. She whimpered as she pressed her ear to his chest, hoping for a heartbeat. There was none. Adora began keening her grief, unable to prevent the cries of sorrow from escaping her chest. She felt torn asunder. The pain was worse than that of the botched transformation. Her soul was shriveled, a dead thing, except the pain burned so strong she knew it yet lived. She didn't know how to bear it so she screamed and screamed and screamed. Unknown to her, Adam placed his arms around her, cradling her, as she cradled the body of the man she had loved.
Her screams tempered off to muted sobs of heartbreak. They were interspersed with her whispered pleas for Bow to wake up, to live, for her. She shook him and when there was no response she beat him on the chest, alternately begging him to get up and threatening his life if he did not. After a while she accepted that he would not rise but she could not let him go.
"She-Ra." The Sorceress offered, standing at her side. "She-Ra, come away child. There is nothing you can do."
"Get out." She-Ra whispered in a hoarse scratchy voice. The Sorceress froze. She looked at Adam. His eyes met hers briefly and he shrugged. "Get out! Get out! Get out!! I hate you! I hate this castle! I hate this sword! Get out! Get Out!" She screamed, her entire body trembling with raw fury. The Sorceress withdrew, hurt and compassion shining from her eyes. As she left, She-Ra turned her head and buried it in the crook of her brother's arm. She couldn't seem to stop weeping.
"Child of Destiny." Zodac's voice spoke, breaking into the discordant, hiccupping sobs. "There is no time to mourn. He will be preserved, given a place of honor in the castles crypt-"
"No! He will not be buried here. I will return him to his homeland. I will see him buried beneath his own world's soil where his whole world will recognize the hero and champion he is." Her voice was thick with venom. Zodac was unmoved.
"As you wish but know while you sit here venting your hurt on those that love you, every second you wait, precious minutes are lost to those you once would have saved. Indeed their very lives lye in the balance as you sit here and lose your spleen." She-Ra's eyes widened in horror.
"Glimmer! Ahgo!" She turned her wide gaze to her brother who held her as if she would break. "Brother, I must return to Etheria, to Brightmoon!" She turned her gaze to her beloved. Tenderly she placed a lingering kiss on his cold brow. He was so handsome, even death could not rob him of his charm. "Adam, prepare his body for me. Bring it to Mysticor. He will have a hero's burial as befits a champion such as he."
"Of course, Adora." She finally, gently, released the body of the bowman, letting it slide to the floor. She turned, reached for her sword which lye on the bed. Disgust and loathing filled her eyes, her mouth curled in a sneer. She turned to the door, sheathing the blade and walked out to the corridor. She saw the Sorceress with her back to the wall watching her approach. The tender concern in her eyes tore at Adora's resolve to despise her. It was her fault Bow was dead. Her fault for not telling Adora everything about the sword. Well, Grayskulls guardian had kept her secrets. In the keeping she lost the trust of one of its defenders.
"Send me home." She ordered, her voice cold.
"As you wish." The sorceress whispered. She-Ra followed her to the throne room. Swift Wind anxiously awaited her arrival. He nickered in greeting. She-Ra lay her head against his thick warm neck. She struggled against the tears once again welling up in her eyes.
"Before you leave let me ask you," the Sorceress spoke softly. She-Ra refused to look at her. "If you had known, would it have made a difference? I told you not to kill with the sword. When you did, did you think about what you were doing or did you simply react with passion rather than thought? If the answer is passion than tell me truthfully, would it have made a difference?" There was silence. Sighing painfully the Sorceress of Grayskull raised an elegantly tapered hand and a dimensional portal opened up. She-Ra mounted Swift Wind in one fluid motion. She did not however, order him to move. Her jaw clenched and unclenched and she had to swallow several times before she could speak. When she did there was hurt and hate and rage in her voice. She looked down into the gentle eyes of the Sorceress and drew her sword, resting the blade tip above her jugular. She didn't flinch. She-Ra's arm trembled with the effort it took to keep from pushing the tip forward just a little more. She spoke through her anguish.
"We'll never know. Will we? You never gave me the chance. Did you?" Grayskull's Sorceress held the eyes of its female champion without wavering. In disgust She-Ra sheathed her sword. "I will finish freeing my people, but I will never again proudly call upon aid from the vaunted Grayskull. As for you- I never want to see you again." With a squeeze of her knees She-Ra and Swift wind rode through the golden gateway.
She-Ra didn't hurt as bad as she had when the pain first started. Oddly enough, she felt as if she were floating. Floating on a cloud of air beneath a canopy of pink and blue and green, as represented in the variety of plant life which loomed above her prone form. She felt the life seeping from her, like blood from a mortal wound. It was the cost of taking a life with the sword always meant for protecting lives. She realized that now.
When the swords were first forged in the depths of Grayskull; that receptacle of power and knowledge for the most dangerous and the most potent magics; enchantments were placed upon the blades so they would never be able to be used for evil purposes. The Sword of Protection was a tool, meant to be wielded by the female half of power. Because females were the generators of the species, it was believed female powers were more intense, more potent than the male half. Females were represented by a world of mothers protecting and nurturing their young. Females were the first healers of the sick and infirm, the first protectors of civilized society. Females were the first to extend their sphere of caring for another outside their sense of self, beyond their sense of 'what's in it for me'.
Females felt emotions with an intensity unmatched by their counterparts. Compassion, empathy, concern, pity, these were the trademark emotions of the woman. A woman would fight a starving and deadly predator in an attempt to save the life of one child- even if the child was not even her own. She was the first protector, the first defender, the first mother. However, the ancients were not prejudiced or blinded by their reverence for the feminine half of magic. They knew, though women had much to recommend them, they were, inevitably, human and prone to the same weaknesses and character flaws as any other person, be they woman or man. So safeguards were added to the swords. The Sword of Protection was much more powerful than the Sword of Power. It had the ability to transform not just the wielder of the blade into the ideal woman warrior, it could transform itself into a variety of forms to aid its bearer in dispensing justice and protection to the needy. It granted its bearer the ability to commune with nature and to heal the sick. The cost it exacted was mercy.
The ancients decided with two powerful swords, to be wielded in times of greatest need, limitations must be enacted to prevent the corruption of their emissaries. So death, being the domain of the masculine half of magic, was granted to the Sword of Power. If death needed delivering it would be at the hands of the man, whose powers were somewhat limited to merely that of a great warrior. The woman would have the ability to extend mercy, thus amplifying her own innate goodness. Should the law of mercy ever be denied using the sword, the bringer of death would be judged according to the first power sword wielder. Hero. The spirit of the slain would be housed in the blade to see justice done on its behalf before being released into the ether, as one life was taken in payment for another. It was, the ancients felt, the only way to ensure its female sword wielder would respect the laws and limitations their ideologies fostered on their heroine.
All these realizations came within the few seconds it had taken her to transform. She-Ra wondered if it would have made a difference had she known prior to changing. Undoubtedly not. Glimmer was her friend as was Ahgo. Adora always was one to help the one's she cared about, no matter what the cost to herself may be. It was part of what made her so ideally suited to the task destiny had appointed for her. She found it ironic that she, Etheria's champion, loved by thousands and revered by the masses would die alone with no one she loved at her side. She closed her eyes, heaving a shaky breath. She just needed to rest for a few minutes.
Not more than five feet from her couchant body, sprawled in a graceless heap on the cold earth, a golden circle of star streams opened, and a great warrior atop a green tiger, exited the portal. His face was a mask of anguish and fear. Swiftly, he dismounted the mighty beast, and in two large strides knelt beside the fallen woman. A bellow of outraged despair flew from his thick throat, to echo inside the courtyard as he scooped the woman into his large, muscular arms. He was dressed in brown leather boots lined with dark fur, and a fur breachcloth covered his endowments. A sword similar to the woman's was sheathed carelessly, on his back. He buried his face into the flowing yellow hair, which fell over his arms like golden silk, unwilling to accept what his eyes told him to be true. He-Man; the most powerful man in the universe, buried his face in the crook of his sister's neck and wept like a child.
Swift Wind's eyes rolled back in fear as he reared up, slamming his fore- hooves into the thick doors of the castle at Mysticor. He knew Bow was inside, in a meeting with Netossa and Peekablu. He knew this because it was Bow's habit to groom Spirit nightly since Adora had been away. Bow spoke freely to Spirit of his love for the horses mistress and how he hoped they would soon be together. It seemed to soothe the man more than the beast to confide in the equine, and as Spirit, the stallion adored the attention. Shouts of alarm rose up as the wood splintered and flew in all directions. Swift Wind held his wings in tight against his back as he galloped down the massive entry hall of the castle. People poured out from the hundreds of doors within the castle, servants, guards and guests. Voices yelling at him to halt barely registered in his mind, so great was his need. Suddenly he knew a moment of stark madness as the weak link he held with his mistress faded and flickered out. Her presence was no longer in his mind. He feared what that would mean. He sent out a mental cry for her. There was no response. Then, there in front of him was the man he sought, flanked by two women and a couple guards.
"Bow!" Swift Wind cried out. The man strode boldly into the hall to meet the frightened flying beast, concern in his dark eyes.
"Swift wind!" He breathed in awe and excitement. "What's wrong? Where's She-Ra?"
"She is dying!" Swift Wind gasped. "She is asking for you. You must get on my back!" Without another word Bow climbed atop the stallion who reared on his hind legs, did a perfect one hundred and eighty degree turn and raced back the way he came. The shocked and horrified faces of the people behind him not even registering.
He-man wept great gulping sobs into the neck of his dying sister. He knew the minute she transformed something was wrong. Although light years across the galaxy and uncountable miles of space separated them, the twins shared a unique bond enabling them to feel when the other was in dire straits. Adam had been ducking one of Teela's training sessions again, when an overwhelming shock of horror and hopelessness clouded over him. He knew his sister was dying. Teela caught him racing out of the palace gates and tried to stop him. Mad with grief, he gave her no thought as he, supposedly the wimpy, cowardly prince Adam, picked up his bodyguard and captain of the guard tossing her out of his way like she was nothing more than a rag doll. He barely waited until he was out of sight before changing into He-Man and transforming Cringer, his cowering companion, into the mighty Battlecat. On the back of his feline steed, He-Man raced with a speed born of desperation, to the gates of Grayskull, which were open and waiting for him. The sorceress hadn't said anything, and he asked no questions of her as she pointed him towards the dimensional gateway which would lead him to his sister. The sorrow in her timeless eyes was confirmation enough that his worst fears would be realized.
A gentle hand reached up to stroke his blond hair from his face and Eternia's champion froze, mid-sob.
"Dear brother." She-Ra whispered, as she gazed lovingly into his tear ravaged face.
"You're alive!" He breathed. Hope rose buoyant in his grief encrusted heart. "I've got to get you to Grayskull. The Sorceress will be able to heal you. I know it." He scooped her, effortlessly into his arms and stood.
"No, brother!" She-Ra gasped. "I am dying. It is Hero's judgment. There is no escape. It is the price I must pay as holder of the Sword of Protection. The Sorceress knows. She warned me. She told me not to kill with the sword. It demands justice as I failed in delivering mercy. A life for a life. It is. unavoidable." Her voice quavered, thin and fragile, accepting of the hand fate had dealt her.
"No!" He-Man roared. His face a mirror of rage and fury. She-Ra quailed in fear for a moment as she failed to recognize the terrifying stranger in her brother's face. "I won't lose you!" He bellowed. Then, seeing her fear, he lowered his voice to a painful whisper. "I can't lose you. You are my sister. The only one who-" here his voice broke and he was forced to swallow the lump, unable to speak through his tears. After a moment he continued. "You're the only one who sees me, the real me. You are the only one who understands. No one. No one in the entire universe knows and loves me like you do. Sis- without you. I- I'll be alone again. I can't! I won't do it! Do you understand me!" He railed, his eyes had the haunted, frightened look of a child, a child who just awoke from a horrible nightmare and now needed comfort. "Only you share my burden, only you understand why Adam is- Adam. Don't you realize what that does for me, to just know you are out there, another sword bearer- my sister, and to know you love me and you feel my. my suffering.and you're not ashamed of me." He finished in a whisper as if embarrassed.
She-Ra's heart ached for him. Even as she lay dying she wanted to offer him comfort. She smoothed his hair back, her own tears echoing his own as they both wept unashamedly.
"I know you, brother. I know the pain you hide in your heart. I know how you suffer, aching for your fathers pride and respect and feeling nothing but his scorn and disgust. I know how you yearn to share all in your heart with Teela and earn again her friendship and trust. I also know you are a true hero. The heart within your chest beats with greatness and one day you will save your world as I failed to save mine. One day you will reveal to your father the hero you are and shadows of fake selves will slide off of you like unwanted specters of a shadowy past. I also know, you will never give up. Even when I am gone you will always fight and do what is right and just and necessary. Adam you are the hero I never was. I look to you brother, for strength and courage to go on. It is your light burning bright in the darkness of existence that has always guided me and relit the flame in my heart. You will endure brother. It is who you are." She-ra's face was alight with compassion and tenderness and something inside of Adam- who still lurked in the mind of He-Man broke, wailing in denial.
"No, She-Ra. You're wrong. This time, you're wrong. I can't go back to being without you. I won't. Don't you see, knowing that you are alive, that you know me as you say you do. That is what gives me the courage and will to go on when father is at his worst and Teela at her most cutting. When I hear the guards laughing behind my back as they refer to me as the cowardly prince, it's okay because I know one person, just one person in all the universe knows me and who I really am."
"Adam, She-Ra whispered, "I am not the only one who knows, you will not be alone."
"Yes I will. They know my secret. They don't know me, the me inside. I always have to be strong for them. Can't you see, with you, only you, can I just be me!"
"Brother." She-Ra whispered, unable to ease his grief.
"She-Ra, He-Man!" A concerned voice yelled. It was Bow and bearing him with eyes wild with worry was her rainbow hued friend and companion Swift Wind. She-Ra felt a sense of peace descend over her and a smile of true happiness lit up her ashen face. Her sapphire eyes drank in the sight of the man she loved.
He was thinner, she noted critically. His abdominal muscles were leaner, harder. A small feminine thrill of appreciation rushed through her. He had grown out his beard into a devilish looking goatee. It gave him a wickedly roguish cast that made her heart beat faster. His face was slightly gaunt, and large circles were under his eyes, as if he hadn't been getting enough sleep. She could see days worth of tension in the way he carried his shoulders.
"Bow." She-Ra whispered. There was such tenderness, such a flood of love in the way she said his name that Bow froze, his eyes locking with hers. In that moment Bow realized He-Man was not holding She-Ra. He was holding Adora, dressed as She-Ra and she was hurt. Immediately panic flooded his limbs and were it not the need in her eyes drawing him closer Bow knew he would have fallen, unable to support his weight on his knees turned jelly with fear.
"Adora, what were you thinking?!" He uttered harshly as he moved to her side, pulling her from He-man's unresisting arms and pressing her head against his chest. He-Man only allowed the archer to steal his sister from his arms because he was in shock, hearing the flamboyant rebel address his sister as Adora, not She-Ra. How did he know?
She-Ra gazed up into the eyes of the man she loved and knowing she would soon leave him she pulled his head toward her. Time stilled. The world melted away. In that moment their was only the two of them. She refused to close her eyes as she placed her lips on his. His mouth was warm and soft as it yielded to her will. His arms were strong and full of life as they embraced her with a promise to never let go. His chest was so hard and firm atop her own soft and pliant one, she was overwhelmed with a bittersweet passion. Tentatively, she traced the outline of his top lip with her tongue. Bow groaned, taking command of the chaste waltz of mouths. His tongue plundered the recesses of her honeyed opening, dueling tenderly with her, tasting her deeply.. Taking her with a fervency of pent up longing and desire he had been unaware of till that moment. She yielded to the fiery onslaught, answering his passion with a call of her own. She watched his eyes close in ecstasy as his tongue danced with hers. He tasted of spice and salt. His smell was that of a man, strong and clean with a slight woodsy aroma, probably from the wax he used on his bow. Her trembling hands caressed the craggy lines of his face. He broke the kiss, catching her hand in his own. "What have you done?" He whispered with concern.
"She is dying. If you don't quit pawing at my sister and allow me to take her to Grayskull then there is no hope." Bow paled.
"Dying? No!" His panicked gaze turned back to his beloved, noting a small wince of pain on her face, the only movement of her otherwise unnaturally still body. "You little fool!" He snarled, even as he clutched her to him. "We do not need She-Ra so much that we need you pretending to be her and getting hurt!" He-Man was startled by the man's outburst.
"Come if you like, but we need to get her to Grayskull now!" Bow followed the hulking man, unwilling to relinquish the prize he held in his arms. Swift Wind and Battlecat followed docilely, close behind. The five of them went through the portal.
On the otherside in a large dark chamber, with only torchlight reflecting eerie shadows on the walls, awaited a woman who seemed to embody strength and compassion. She was tall, as tall as She-Ra, she seemed to be covered in some form of formal, spiritual attire of feathers, complete with a feathered headdress of the ivory plumes. A brilliant curved beak like that of an eagle framed by two, large, golden eyes seemed to gaze at him from atop the woman's head. Her torso was covered in ivory feathers, the snowy down accentuating her tiny waist and a feathered cape of blue and orange trailed from her shoulders to her ankles. Her boot's traveled up her leg, stopping mid-calf in a royal blue shade to match her cape. She was lean and soft and femininely curved and her clear blue eyes seemed ageless in her otherwise young face with a soft sculpted nose and high cheekbones.
He-Man noted they had exited the portal in the Sorceress' resting chamber rather than the great hall of Grayskull.
"Bow, welcome to Eternia. Please, place She-Ra on the bed." Bow did as the woman told him, taking great care to lay Adora down as gently as possible on the large mattress which was fronted by a teal headboard carved in the shape of a bird of prey.
"It's not She-Ra, it's Adora." Bow said quietly. Not taking his eyes off of Adora's resting form. Her eyes kept closing, only to snap open moments later as if in panic. He closed his fingers tightly over her hand. He-Man moved to the other side of the bed, taking her other hand in his own. Both men had about them an aura of grave concern.
"You must save her." He-man uttered harshly, finally taking his eyes off his sister to glare at the Sorceress standing so quietly at the foot of the bed. The Sorceress lowered her eyes from his hostile gaze, clasping her hands in front of her.
"I can not. It is not within my power." She said it softly and with chilling finality. He-man and Bow both responded immediately.
"What?!" Bow shouted. "She has no wounds! It can't be that bad. Can it?" His voice harsh in his own ears as his eyes traveled frantically between the Sorceress of Grayskull and He-man. He- man rose to his feet, withdrawing his sword, he plunged it into the stone floor.
"If she dies so too does all your dreams of freedom. I will turn my back on you, on the kingdom and on He-man." His voice was laced with desperate grief as he continued. "I was just a boy, a child no less, when you in all your wisdom-" and he hissed the word with such venom the Sorceress flinched at the hatred she heard in it, even as she understood it was sorrow which made him speak so. "-saw fit to bestow upon me the title of heroic champion. I have endured much. I have fought non stop for nine years now to keep the forces of Skeletor at bay. My closest friends and family think me a vile coward. They are ashamed of me! I endure it all, never have I complained or balked at fulfilling my duty. I tell you this. If she-Ra died. He-Man dies with her." Bow stared at the warrior, not understanding.
"He-Man, don't you understand, this is not She-Ra. This is Adora, Adam's sister. Why would you want to die unless-" Bow's jaw dropped, "your in love with her too!" He-man glanced at Bow in irritation before touching the hilt of the Power Sword. In a voice full of authority and command He- man cried out.
"By the Power, of Grayskull!" He-man was surrounded by blinding and golden fireworks. Flashes of shimmering flaming lights seemed to surround and embrace his powerful form.
"He-Man, no!" The Sorceress cried. Too late.
"Let the power, return!" The Sorceress' face was a mask of stunned horror as He-Man transformed before Bow's astonished eyes. In his place was Adam. The fool hardy but well intentioned prince who courageously stormed the Fright Zone to save his twin, Adora, from the clutches of the Horde seven years ago.
"I am He-man my friend." Adam said to Bow's shocked face, no hint of a smile in his voice as he sat again at his sisters side. "As Adora is She- Ra." He whispered in a broken voice. Bow could only stare down at the woman clinging to his hands.
"It is time. Hero has come to collect her spirit." The Sorceress stated in an eerie whisper. Adora's breathing stopped. Suddenly at the Sorceress' side was a man. He was dark skinned and appeared to have large black, bug like eyes. He was also dressed in a garb, similar to He-mans. Dark furry shorts, dark furred boots he sat in a chair that seemed to hover over the floor. His dark facial hair curled giving him a wooly appearance. Adam looked up at him and hope flickered in his eyes.
"Zodac!" He breathed.
"Who?" Bow said in confusion. He-Man ignored him.
"Zodac, can you save my sister?"
"No, champion. I cannot." The man's voice was musical and compelling, in spite of his concern for Adora, Bow felt his eyes drawn to the man. "You however, may be able to help her, if it is your fate."
"How?" Adam demanded. "I'll do anything to save her."
"No!" The Sorceress gasped. "Zodac, I beg of you, leave it be. Adora broke the laws of the ancients, not Adam. He has his own Destiny." Her large eyes were full of fear and concern.
"His destiny is not yet decided." Came the mans calm answer.
"I'll have no part of this!" The Sorceress cried. "I've done enough, sacrificed enough. Asked enough of this boy! I will not ask this. I will never ask this." She then turned to Adam and placed her hand on his face. "Adam, please, think before you act. Remember there is always a choice. Think of what your sister would want." Adam tore his face from her hands.
"I will do what I must to save my sister."
"I will do what I must to save Adora." Bow said with equal conviction, his eyes hard as they glared at the man exuding an aura of unquestionable power. "I love her."
"Yes. You will help as well. Adora will not willingly leave the place of spirits when she realizes what the price is."
"Tell us." He-Man commanded.
"As you now realize, there are protections placed upon the blades both you and your sister carry. These protections were necessary to insure no corrupt person ever gained influence over the powers placed in them. When your sister took a life using the sword of the ancients she set in motion events put in place centuries ago when the swords were created. Hero, the first bearer of a weapon of power helped forge these master weapons. He, and a nameless sorcerer foresaw the day when the universe would be troubled by a great and terrible evil. In that day champions would be chosen to wield the swords and protect the ideas of justice, mercy, freedom and life. The champions they foresaw were you, Adam and your sister, Adora. But Hero simply could not allow such powerful weapons to be unprotected and possibly used to destroy the very ideas he sought to protect. With the consent of the ancients he enchanted the blades to hold the powers of male and female. Only the less powerful, male weapon could be used to kill, to carry out final justice. And not without serious consequences to its bearer. You have never used your sword to kill, have you, prince Adam?" Zodac questioned. Adam shook his head.
"Pray you never do. The day you kill using your sword you will experience the death of the person you slay a thousand times over."
"Is that what is happening to Adora?" He-Man asked, his eyes moving to his sister's still form.
"No. There is a greater penalty that goes with the woman's sword. The Sword of Protection grants much more than super strength to its emissary. It grants them telepathic abilities to commune with people and with nature. It has the ability to transform into any weapon the bearer desires. It has the ability to heal the injured and sick. It has but one rule to its use. Where the Sword of Power extends final justice to the wicked, the Sword of Protection offers them mercy. In this sword, Hero applied one principle that would be irrevocable and bind the bearer to their fate should they kill using it. By exacting the highest penalty for the taking of a life, Hero hoped to affirm the highest value on life." Zodac finished. Bow and Adam stared blankly at the cosmic enforcer.
"And that means?" Bow snapped impatient.
"It means a life for a life. This I cannot change. I can send you into the sword. That is where Adora's life force is being pulled to. There, in that realm between life and death there is a veil. You will know it when you are there. I will send two spirits into the blade. Only two spirits may emerge. You two, Adam and Bow, may enter the sword with my powers. Once you cross the veil there will be no turning back. Adora will be there. You must convince her to cross the veil with one of you. The other will stay behind and take her place. In this way Adora will live and she will be allowed to become She-Ra again, the law fulfilled, a life for a life." Adam turned to look at Bow, resolve alight in his eyes.
"You bring her back." He said, his voice grim.
"She'll never agree." Bow answered automatically his mind reeling. It all seemed so unfair. Someone would die tonight, there was no getting around it.
"She doesn't have to know." Adam said firmly. Bow locked eyes with the young prince. He nodded once.
"No, she doesn't." They both turned to Zodac. The Cosmic enforcer stood from his chair and walked to the seemingly slumbering princess. He withdrew the sword from her scabbard and lay it atop her still form. He then put her hands on its hilt. She looked like a warrior woman, laid to rest for her final sleep. Bow shuddered at the thought.
"Place a hand on the sword both of you." Zodac commanded them. Neither hesitated. Their was a burst of light. The world faded.
Bow found himself standing beside Adam in a place of white light. Nothing existed around them but empty whiteness. He looked down and though he felt the floor beneath his feet he still wasn't sure if it was there. Adam began walking. Bow kept pace. Suddenly he detected a ripple in the air in front of them.
"That must be the veil Zodac was talking about. Bow said in hushed tones. Adam nodded. He then turned, looking Bow in the eyes.
"You take care of her. Love her. I know that is the one thing she wants more than anything else in this world. To be loved. She never knew love as a child. She was raised to be a soldier. She had no friends or family. Anyone she became close to was eventually transferred. Love her. Someday, convince her we did the right thing. Let her know I have no regrets. This is what I need to do. I couldn't save her when she was taken from me the first time. I'll die before anyone takes her away again. Even death can't stand against me." He smiled. "I am the most powerful man in the universe." Adam turned to the rippling veil. "Adora!" He called. "Adora can you here me?" The white seemed to swallow his voice.
"Adam?" A faint, frightened voice answered. "Adam is it you?" Then from the light came Adora. She was a vision of loveliness that took Bow's breath away. Bow stepped forward, crossing the boundary of the veil separating them. "Bow!" She cried, before launching herself into his arms. He held her close to him. Reveling in the feel of her body pressed against his, the rise and fall of her chest, the warmth of her skin. She drew back, looking into his eyes.
"Why are you guys here?" She asked fearfully.
"We came to take you home." Bow answered, raising one of her delicate hands to his face, kissing the back of her knuckles. She seemed to shine, he thought, like a delicate star he could hold in his arms. Adora stepped toward the veil only to be brought up short. He eyes flooded with tears.
"You can't. I can't leave here. It's my punishment for killing." Bow enfolded her in his strong embrace. Smoothing his hand through her hair, kissing her head.
"Shhh. It will be alright. We both came because we both have to be with you. Only with both Adam and myself can we create enough power to break through the veil holding you here." Adora leaned back and gazed excitedly into his eyes.
"Really!" She gasped, not daring to believe it. Bow smiled.
"I would never lie to you."
"I told you the Sorceress could save you." Adam said, before stepping across the barrier. Adora turned from Bow and nestled into her brothers arms.
"Oh Adam. I was so frightened. I knew I had to except Hero's judgment. He is here you know." She whispered, clutching his shirt in her hands, looking around in fear. "I know he is here with us. Watching us. I feel him." Adam held his sister tightly.
"Little sister, you need never fear, I will always protect you." His eyes were sad as he looked down at her. Adora didn't notice however as she turned back to Bow. Flinging her arms around his neck she kissed him. Their mouths clung together in a frenzy of tortured passion. Adora pulled her lips from his to rain tiny kisses down his throat and on his face.
"I love you!" She cried through her kisses. "I love you with everything that I am!" She pressed her body hungrily against his, burying one hand in his hair while running the other over the plains and valleys of his chest and abdomen. "I was so afraid I was dead and would never tell you how I feel."
"I love you too. More than life my princess of power." Adora's eyes widened. Bow grinned, tenderly cupping her face in his hand. "All those times when I was torn over who I wanted, you or She-Ra. All the times one of you would torment me about the other. I really only wanted one woman. You. It was always you." Adora melted into his side, tears of happiness spilling from her long ebony lashes. She clung to him tightly.
"Let's go home." She cried. Bow held her tighter for another second or two.
"I think you need to pay your brother some attention." He said carefully, his voice strangely neutral. Adora laughed, delightedly. She turned to hug her brother. Adam clutched her tight, trying to think of a way to say good bye without arousing her suspicions when without warning he was given a powerful shove. Instinctively he clutched Adora tighter, ready to defend her against all harm. He and his sister fell through the veil separating the world of the living from that of the dead. Bow stood solemnly on the other side.
Adam let out a roar of outrage. "No! Bow you fool, why? Why would you do this?!" Adam scrambled to his feet. Adora scooted backwards, not understanding what had happened. Adam rushed the veil, ready to switch places, but was rebuffed by an implacable, barely visible, rippling wall. He slammed his fist into the wall to vent his shock and fury. "Why? I thought we agreed! I was the one going to stay! Me! She needs you! She loves you, you bastard! How could you do this to her!" Adam railed.
"Do what?" Adora asked, her joy fading to be replaced by creeping panic. "Do what, brother! What has he done!" Adora tried to cross the barrier, but found herself rebuffed as well. Shock settled over her features as the implications sank in.
"No." She whispered softly. Raising anguished aqua eyes to Bow's sadly shimmering mahogany gaze she asked in a broken whisper. "What have you done?" Her lip trembled as horror swept over her. She knew, without being told. Her hands were splayed on the shimmering wall between her and the man she loved. Bow raised his hands, splaying his own atop hers. So near, yet so far. Bow smiled. It was a beautiful smile full of tenderness and love.
"I did what you would have done in my place. I saved you. The only way I could." Adora gazed at him mutely. Adam ran a hand through his hair.
"It was supposed to be me. Why?" He breathed. Bow answered, never taking his eyes off the woman he loved.
"Because the woman I loved taught me to put others before my own wants. Etheria needs She-Ra as its champion more than it needs the archer, Bow. From what I hear, your planet needs its own champion. I was the logical choice to stay behind."
"Bow, you sonofabitch! You never do the logical thing, you think with your heart, it's what I have always loved about you." Adora breathed painfully. Bow laughed.
"I did it again sweeting. I thought, Adora will love again, but she only has one brother. When the war is over, go home Adora. Home to your family. Know what it is to be loved unconditionally. That is my gift to you. When you return home, after our world is free, your family," his eyes turned briefly to Adam, "your whole family, will be waiting for you." It was too much. Adora slowly sank to the ground unable to do anything but cry.
"You take care of her. Love her. You know it's the one thing she wants more than anything else in this world. To be loved. She was raised to be a soldier. Show her how to be a part of a family. Love her. Someday, convince her we did the right thing. Let her know, I have no regrets. This is what I need to do. Remember your promise. You said you would die before anyone harms her again. And know this, death can't stand against me." He smiled. "I may not be the most powerful man in the universe, but I am the man who loves her." Adam nodded, unable to speak. Finally he bent to his sobbing sister, to lift her up. She fought him.
"No!" She screamed. "No! I won't leave him!" She punched her brother, shoving him away from her. Adam was at a loss.
"Adora," Bow commanded, his voice stern, "Adora, you have to live. You have to live for us. For me." Adora looked up at him, at his pleading face, a small whimper escaping as she shook her head no.
"I can't leave you to this." She cried.
"So our people will die slaves?" He bit out harshly. Adora reacted as if he had slapped her.
"But I love you." She whispered, the words like a talisman. "I won't leave you to face the consequences of my actions alone.
"I'm not alone. Never. You are here. With me. Always in my heart as I will be with you." Adora shook her head again.
"No!" She grunted, it's not the same. Uh-uh. I won't do it, I won't go! I want to be with you!" She keened the last part even as she knew it was impossible. Bow stood abruptly.
"Remember Adam," Bow spoke, his voice harsh and gravelly, "Love her."
"Good Journey, my friend." Adam said, saluting him by placing a fist over his heart and thumping his chest twice before raising his arm in farewell. "Good Journey." Bow nodded curtly.
"Free my people, She-Ra." His voice cracked. Adora looked up to see tears streaming from his eyes. In a softer, higher voice, cracking with emotions he begged her, "free my home." He turned and walked away, leaving her to gaze, stricken as he was swallowed by the white.
"Boooooooow!" Adora howled. Like a mad woman, she rose, slamming herself into the veil. Over and over, screaming his name until her throat was hoarse and raw and she couldn't see through her tears. Sometime between Bow's departure and her loss of sanity Adam restrained her by the arms to prevent her from hurting herself. She fought him like a woman possessed, her only thought to get through the veil. Finally, Adam, exhausted by her struggling, hurting just as much as his sister, had enough. He threw her over his shoulders and turned toward the place where he and Bow started. The farther he walked the less real things became, until, quite suddenly, he was beside his sister in the bedchamber of the Sorceress. He looked up to see Zodac gazing solemnly down at him. A small cry drew his gaze to the corner of the room. The Sorceress was gazing at him, as if she didn't believe her eyes.
"You live! By the ancients!" She breathed, her relief enormous.
A sudden scream pierced the stillness. Adam turned to Adora, still She-Ra from the transformation. She had risen from her back to clutch the body of her dead love. Bow was still as stone in her arms as she held him, sliding to the floor. She clutched his unmoving body against her chest, supporting his head in the crook of her arm. She whimpered as she pressed her ear to his chest, hoping for a heartbeat. There was none. Adora began keening her grief, unable to prevent the cries of sorrow from escaping her chest. She felt torn asunder. The pain was worse than that of the botched transformation. Her soul was shriveled, a dead thing, except the pain burned so strong she knew it yet lived. She didn't know how to bear it so she screamed and screamed and screamed. Unknown to her, Adam placed his arms around her, cradling her, as she cradled the body of the man she had loved.
Her screams tempered off to muted sobs of heartbreak. They were interspersed with her whispered pleas for Bow to wake up, to live, for her. She shook him and when there was no response she beat him on the chest, alternately begging him to get up and threatening his life if he did not. After a while she accepted that he would not rise but she could not let him go.
"She-Ra." The Sorceress offered, standing at her side. "She-Ra, come away child. There is nothing you can do."
"Get out." She-Ra whispered in a hoarse scratchy voice. The Sorceress froze. She looked at Adam. His eyes met hers briefly and he shrugged. "Get out! Get out! Get out!! I hate you! I hate this castle! I hate this sword! Get out! Get Out!" She screamed, her entire body trembling with raw fury. The Sorceress withdrew, hurt and compassion shining from her eyes. As she left, She-Ra turned her head and buried it in the crook of her brother's arm. She couldn't seem to stop weeping.
"Child of Destiny." Zodac's voice spoke, breaking into the discordant, hiccupping sobs. "There is no time to mourn. He will be preserved, given a place of honor in the castles crypt-"
"No! He will not be buried here. I will return him to his homeland. I will see him buried beneath his own world's soil where his whole world will recognize the hero and champion he is." Her voice was thick with venom. Zodac was unmoved.
"As you wish but know while you sit here venting your hurt on those that love you, every second you wait, precious minutes are lost to those you once would have saved. Indeed their very lives lye in the balance as you sit here and lose your spleen." She-Ra's eyes widened in horror.
"Glimmer! Ahgo!" She turned her wide gaze to her brother who held her as if she would break. "Brother, I must return to Etheria, to Brightmoon!" She turned her gaze to her beloved. Tenderly she placed a lingering kiss on his cold brow. He was so handsome, even death could not rob him of his charm. "Adam, prepare his body for me. Bring it to Mysticor. He will have a hero's burial as befits a champion such as he."
"Of course, Adora." She finally, gently, released the body of the bowman, letting it slide to the floor. She turned, reached for her sword which lye on the bed. Disgust and loathing filled her eyes, her mouth curled in a sneer. She turned to the door, sheathing the blade and walked out to the corridor. She saw the Sorceress with her back to the wall watching her approach. The tender concern in her eyes tore at Adora's resolve to despise her. It was her fault Bow was dead. Her fault for not telling Adora everything about the sword. Well, Grayskulls guardian had kept her secrets. In the keeping she lost the trust of one of its defenders.
"Send me home." She ordered, her voice cold.
"As you wish." The sorceress whispered. She-Ra followed her to the throne room. Swift Wind anxiously awaited her arrival. He nickered in greeting. She-Ra lay her head against his thick warm neck. She struggled against the tears once again welling up in her eyes.
"Before you leave let me ask you," the Sorceress spoke softly. She-Ra refused to look at her. "If you had known, would it have made a difference? I told you not to kill with the sword. When you did, did you think about what you were doing or did you simply react with passion rather than thought? If the answer is passion than tell me truthfully, would it have made a difference?" There was silence. Sighing painfully the Sorceress of Grayskull raised an elegantly tapered hand and a dimensional portal opened up. She-Ra mounted Swift Wind in one fluid motion. She did not however, order him to move. Her jaw clenched and unclenched and she had to swallow several times before she could speak. When she did there was hurt and hate and rage in her voice. She looked down into the gentle eyes of the Sorceress and drew her sword, resting the blade tip above her jugular. She didn't flinch. She-Ra's arm trembled with the effort it took to keep from pushing the tip forward just a little more. She spoke through her anguish.
"We'll never know. Will we? You never gave me the chance. Did you?" Grayskull's Sorceress held the eyes of its female champion without wavering. In disgust She-Ra sheathed her sword. "I will finish freeing my people, but I will never again proudly call upon aid from the vaunted Grayskull. As for you- I never want to see you again." With a squeeze of her knees She-Ra and Swift wind rode through the golden gateway.