Four Souls: Pure Hearts, Dark Souls and Radiant Hope
Author's note: Alo…
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They flew towards the mountains, carefully veering and turning to keep on course. Ahead the crystalline cliffs loamed out at them. Jeris had spent most of the flight ahead speaking with the dragon, whose name, as Jeris had learned, was Slazzanar. Van had watched the conversation from a safe distance. His arms were tiring from carrying Hitomi this far and he hoped they would reach their destination soon. Rory was flying even further apart from the group, off in his own little world. Ahead of them, a cave-like opening cut through the violet mountainside. Slazzanar headed for the crevice, followed by the three draconian males. They landed on a crystal-like floor, the walls surrounding were glistening with gold. The dragon beckoned them to follow as he crawled on all fours through the immense hallway leading to the shrine. The hallway ended in a spectacular cavern with walls sparkling in all the colors of the rainbow. At the very end was a silver and gold altar and two matching candleholders whose candles winked like diamonds. Behind the altar, a glittering scepter stood upright. From the darkness emerged a great golden dragon. Slazzanar moved near it and spoke in a language none could understand. He then turned to face the draconians and Hitomi.
"Thisss isss my mate Mara-raine, the guardian of thisss ssshrine," he said in a soft, affectionate voice. The golden dragon spoke in a rumbling tone.
"Thee are the onesss who ssseek help for the people of Lavia?" asked Mara-raine. Rory nodded. Instead of accepting the answer, the great creature turned on Rory. "Thy heart isss not worthy of what thisss shrine guardsss. Thy sssoul isss dark and corrupted. Thee wisssh only for thy own benefit," snapped Mara-raine. Rory stood stock still as the dragon moved on to Jeris, Van, Hitomi and the still unconscious Lia. "Among thee however I sssense one who's wisssh isss true. Thee four have the giftsss and sssoulsss worthy of the power I guard."
"Please," said Jeris, "can you do anything for Lia? She's been drugged or something. She's dying." Van looked at Jeris shocked. Not even Hitomi had sensed this kind of urgency but his cousin had somehow felt Lia's decline. The dragon's gaze softened.
"I will help thee, thy hasss ssshown courage to asssk sssuch a thing. Leave her here and ssstand back," Mara-raine replied with a draconic smile. Jeris did as he was told, worried about the great creature hovering over Lia. The jewel, so much like the one that grazed Slazzanar's forehead, blazed with a calming fury. A circle of greenish fire surrounded Lia and consumed her. Jeris shouted, but shut his mouth as he watched the fire die. Lia now stood firmly in the center of the failing flames, the shard at her throat blazing with the same fury as Mara-raine's jewel. "Ssshe isss healed," said the great golden creature. Jeris ran at her and gathered her in his arms.
"Do you have any idea…" he was cut off by Lia's calm answer.
"Its ok, shh," she said, before freeing herself from Jeris' embrace to glare at her brother. Slazzanar moved quickly between them.
"Thisss isss no place for a brawl. Thee will wait until thy are free of thisss place," he said. Beside the silver dragon, Mara-raine bowed her head to Lia.
"Thee are the one. Thy power isss now revealed by thy healing." As she said this, the staff behind the altar drifted towards Lia. Up close it was a beautifully crafted object of silver twisted with gold. At the bottom and above the handle it was adorned with a pair of dragon's wings surrounding a violet gem. At the top it bore two tiny golden dragons clutched around a missing item. Lia recognized it instantly.
"Mothers… Mothers scepter," she gasped.
"Thisss hasss belonged to every dragon clan queen since the lady of magic herssself bore it in the beginning of time. It now belongsss to thee Medea," said Mara-raine.
"Medea was my mothers name. Mine is Lia," she said. Mara-raine gazed at her with her huge bronze eyes.
"Tisss rightly thine. Thy mother was named for the Lady. Thee are the Lady in another flesh and thy companionsss be thy friendsss," said the dragon, stubbornly.
"Who, what… what do you mean?" asked Lia as she gazed at Jeris, Van and Hitomi.
"Thy lover, Jerisss be in the past thy lover Kael, thy two friendsss be Yarden and Mrena, and thy brother be in hisss sssoul Cian, thy enemy."
"How can you tell?" asked Lia, gripping the scepter in confusion.
"Thy bear the ssshard of the gem given by the dragonsss to thy family," said Mara-raine. Rory's eyes widened; the insane glint Lia now recognized as Cian personified returned.
"So it was you all along, Medea. You put us through all that trouble to find that stupid crystal," he said, in a voice to quiet to be sane. Lia clutched her pendant in one hand and the scepter in the other.
"Yeah," she said, "Got a problem with that?" Van, Jeris and Hitomi were now backing her against her mad brother. Rory, or now Cian, just laughed.
"Even if you have your jewel you'll never break my curse. You know to little of the truth for the final seal to break. I'll win in this life and in all those to come," he said.
"Then the firssst two sssealsss have broken?" asked Slazzanar.
"If I understand him correctly than yes, the first seals of the curse of the four souls have been broken. The way to break the third one would be for us to completely regain the memories of that life. I'm afraid that at this point my memories at least are very vague," said Lia, nodding. Jeris, behind her, nodded in agreement.
"And you'll be dead before you can learn that much," said Cian, a purple-black cloud of power growing behind him. The wings he sprouted from his back were not white and feathered, but black as night and stretched like a dragons. (He he, Lucivar… don't ask). He shot into the air of the great cavern, which was tall enough to accommodate a dragon with its wings fully extended and still have extra room. The three draconians still on the ground sprouted their feathery white wings.
"Don't go, he wants you to follow him. He'll kill you if you chase him." The sudden cry from Hitomi stopped them from following Cian. Around her glowed a strong white light as the confidence in her now stronger powers spread to the rest. Jeris grinned.
"If you weren't such a coward you'd come down and fight us all," he goaded. Cian's maniac grin grew as he dove at the four. The dragons, at this point, had moved to block the entrances incase Cian tried to escape. As Cian neared the end of his dive, a thought like a flash veered him off course.
I won't let you hurt my sister. Rory, inside of the psychopath's mind, was fighting back. The headache that fighting such a willful mind created was almost too much for Cian to bear. He flew towards the other end of the room, panting in exhaustion.
I thought you had died long ago. You won't keep me from my goal you pathetic winged human, thought Cian.
You may have my body, but my mind is still free. I won't let you hurt them Rory's mind replied.
"Cian, this battle is pointless. Give up and let my brother go before I'm forced to kill you," said Lia, close behind him.
"You forget Medea, in our past life I was your brother." Cian gloated on the confusion that appeared on her face.
"You were the two sided guardian. One half guarding life, the other guarding death." Jeris and Van looked shocked at Hitomi's sudden knowledge. Cian's insane smirk grew.
"I'm the soul that guards life. My other half hasn't yet been reborn," he said.
"Then that means, without your sane half to balance you, you're completely deranged." The staring turned from Hitomi to Jeris.
"Then it is true. While life is hard and unpredictable, death is welcoming and friendly," said Van quietly. (Jade have you caught my planning yet?)
"Even with you're returned knowledge, you can't break my curse and you can't defeat me." Cian staggered into a standing position. His smirk was suddenly interrupted by a twitch of his face. His voice turned from madly psychotic to hurt and pleading.
"Kill me, please. Break the curse and kill me." Rory's voice rose from the faltering body. The four turned to him with shocked looks.
"Rory, but… " Lia's voice cracked at the sudden realization. Because of Cian, she was going to be forced to kill her own brother, the last living member of her family.
"Do it. If I die so does he." Rory's logic astounded the four.
"But it's not your fault, we can't kill you for his insanity," said Hitomi, eyes full of anxiety. Rory shook his head.
"I can't stay in control much longer, kill me now before he takes over again and kills you." he said desperately.
"But we can't…" Jeris and Van yelled in unison. Lia raised her hand to stop them.
"No, he's right. There's no other way." A single tear rolled down her cheek. "Please, it's my duty as his sister in both lives. It will only be harder the longer it is prevented." Rory sighed in relief.
"Hurry, I can't…" His words were less controlled than before. More tears fell to join the first.
"I'm sorry Rory." Lia raised her hand allowing silver-violet light to collect there. Rory's eyes flickered between his own and Cian's. The glow barreled towards the young man, blinding the silent onlookers. When the bright radiance had faded, they found Rory dead, with a smile crossing his face and his violet eyes closed as if in sleep. Lia turned abruptly, her face unreadable and bumped into Jeris. She collapsed against his chest, shoulders quivering in silent weeping. Jeris held her close, rocking her back and forth as if comforting a child. Hitomi clung to Van in a similar, if not as potent, distress. Lia stopped crying and turned back to her brother's lifeless body. Slowly she picked him up and turned towards the others. "Let's go back, we still have a score to settle with Aloran for this." Her eyes now burned with anger, pain and sadness. The dragons removed themselves from the entrance and led the quiet group out.
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Aletta spotted the tiny shapes approaching. Two dragons, she thought, and a few smaller beings. She tugged on her brother's arm and pointed towards the tree line when he responded. Aethan quietly nodded and turned to silently tell the others. When the two great beasts landed, the beings with them came into greater focus. It was Van and co. with Lia conscious and carrying Rory. Clasped to her belt, next to her sword sheath, was a sword length rod wrapped in black leather. The bronze dragon guarding them turned to acknowledge the larger two dragons. Aloran stepped forward in his circle of guards. He looked mildly shocked at seeing Rory supposedly unconscious but other wise he seemed calm. Lia's anger flared at his lack of care.
"Dragons, have you returned with the item I requested?" he asked, smirking.
"We have, though thee isss not worthy of thisss gift and thee ssshall not have it," the golden dragon replied. Aloran's smirk died to a dark scowl.
"If you will not hand it over willingly than I'll be forced to harm one of the prisoners," he said. He was met with four pairs of glaring human eyes and three pairs of draconic ones. Van stepped forward slightly, only to be held back by Jeris' hand at his shoulder.
"Thee hath already causssed the death of one being thisss day," said Mara-raine, the golden dragon.
"What do you mean," said Aloran carefully as he gazed over the group in front of him. His eyes came to rest on Lia, carrying Rory. Aloran's eyes laughed at the sight. "That useless boy? What do I care about his death?" Lia's glare darkened and was joined by the others.
"For you he was useless, but he was my brother," said Lia, too calmly to be normal.
"He's only draconian," Aloran replied. A bolt of violet fire glanced off his carefully designed shield. Lia had dropped her brother's body and was standing in the midst of a violet flame. A similar fire was visible from the other three as well as their long hidden powers sprang into being. A scarlet fire surrounded Van and an emerald one bathed Jeris. Pure white light gathered around Hitomi's slight form. Aloran stepped back when he realized he was seeing the auras of three people he had never suspected of having magical gifts. His panic subsided as he launched a bolt of amber light at the group of prisoners and their guards. Aethan saw the beam coming and ducked, pushing Aletta to the ground with him. The light glanced off an emerald shield surrounding them.
"You have something that belongs to us," said Lia, dangerously.
"I have nothing of yours!" yelled Aloran, panicking considerably when the four in front of him walked strait through his shield. The pendant at Lia's throat gleamed and in answer, a similar light began emanating from Aloran's cloak.
"You have the dragon crystal, the gift that protects Lavia. Give it back now and we'll spare you," said Lia. Aloran, cowering on the ground, reached inside his cloak and held out a glowing, fist sized crystal. Lia lifted it out of his hand and yanked her pendant off her neck. The tiny stone inside the silver dragon's tail glowed with a surprising fury. As they were lifted together, the light became blinding. When the silver fire died, the pendant's crystal was gone and the dragon crystal glowed with life.
"The ssstone isss healed, as isss Lavia's heart," said Slazzanar.
"And may it never be wounded again," said Lia in reply. In their distraction, they failed to notice Aloran. He was muttering under his breath.
"… and may the happiness they've found be broken, may my enemies never again live in peace." His voice rose to a booming over the land. Only too late did Lia realize the finishing of a curse. As if on cue, Hitomi slumped to the ground with a cry. Van barely caught her. Without a word, Lia raised her hand in Aloran's direction and released a bolt of purple light. Before the light reached Aloran it was joined by a bolt of scarlet fire, one of emerald light and a soft blue beam. The light destroyed Aloran completely, echoing off of the ocean and cliff itself. Jeris turned around as the light died to see Aletta, braid blowing in the breeze and hand raised, panting against her brother's body. The same pale blue glow that had helped to destroy Aloran glittered around her.
"We need to get somewhere safe and fast, something's wrong with Hitomi," Van's voice shattered the silence.
"Follow usss," Slazzanar answered. The guards surrounding them drew back as the reunited group followed the great silver dragon. He led them to a small cave, which he could not fit into. "Bring her in here, ssshe isss in need of help my people can not give." The dragon seemed saddened by the reality. Van brought her into the cave. Near the back he found a stone slab that could be used as a bed. As he placed her down, a small black cat jumped down from the crevice above.
"Amana!" exclaimed Lia. How did you get here?
I followed you silly. The cat thought back at her.
Amana do you know what's wrong with Hitomi? Lia asked. The cat glanced up at her.
She's trapped inside her mind. Compared to you three she knows so little of the truth that she was easily ensorcelled by Aloran's curse. She can't break the barriers on her mind. If things stay as they are she will eventually die. Said the cat with amazing sincerity.
What can we do? Asked Lia, solemnly
Enter her mind and bring her back, said the cat. Lia nodded, turned and approached Hitomi's bed. (Ok, prepare to be confused… Major editing help needed from now on… you've been warned Jade) Van turned to her.
"Is there anything we can do?" he asked. Lia only nodded.
"Van, what ever you do, don't let go of her. Don't loose heart. If you do, she won't survive," she said. Van nodded in response. A hand taped Lia's shoulder. It was Aletta.
"Lia let me help. You've taught me enough to know how and you can't do this alone," she said. Lia smiled at her.
"Then follow my lead, but if anything happens, turn back immediately," she said. Lia sat down against the wall with Aletta beside her, allowing herself to slide into a dark trance. When she opened her eyes, she and Aletta stood at the edge of a dark well. Appearing before them was a figure shrouded in a dark cloak with violet eyes peering out at them. Lia recognized the being immediately.
Death, I have no quarrel with you. My battle is with what fate has set before me, she said to the being. Death nodded and faded away, leaving them a clear view of Hitomi, who was slowly descending into the abyss. Lia's wings sprouted from her back in a feathery mist and Aletta followed. Diving down, Lia called out to Hitomi's mind-self.
Hitomi, don't give up, come back to us, she called. Hitomi looked up at them, her eyes clouded.
Why, I don't have a reason to keep living, she said. Lia caught Hitomi's wrist, stopping her decent.
Don't let your mind be controlled. There are still people who love you waiting for you. Don't give up, Lia's desperate cries rang threw the darkness.
Hitomi, wake up! You're being controlled by Aloran's curse. Wake up! Aletta's blue light washed around Hitomi's astral body.
Aletta you don't know what you're doing. Stop Aletta… Aletta floated in front of Lia, blue mist surrounding her.
Lia, I broke the spell, please… take her home Aletta fell unconscious with those last words.
ALETTA! Lia screamed. She was alone, the blue power that had emanated from Aletta had knocked Hitomi unconscious as it had saved her. I can't carry them both back alone! She thought desperately.
Lia! Lia I can't hold onto Hitomi much longer, she's slipping too far away! Van's cry was more desperate than her own. Gathering the two young women into her arms, Lia tried to fly towards the point of light above her. Her wings faltered, tugged down by an invisible force. A strange voice broke the desperate silence.
Lia, take my hand. Follow my light home. As these words were said, a woman appeared in front of her bathed in light and clothed in a simple white gown. Her silver hair and golden eyes, slit like a cats, shown in the darkness. She held a glowing hand out to Lia, who took it in a sign of complete trust. The darkness melted away to a place of pure light. Lia was completely alone now; both Aletta and Hitomi had disappeared. Suddenly she recognized the being in front of her.
Amana. You're Amana aren't you! She said.
I am, replied the woman. My true name is Diedra. In my time I was a mage too powerful to control my magic. It ultimately would have killed me had I not found away to change myself into a cat in order to control that power.
But now you'll die anyway. Why, why kill yourself to save us? Lia asked, distressed.
I've lived long enough. I chose this fate. You, Medea, were a being I looked up to with all my heart. I wanted to save you. Please, for my sake at least, find happiness. Diedra 's voice faded as her body dissolved into a shower of stars. Find happiness… Her voice whispered.
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Jeris was hovering over her when she woke. In her lap, she felt a heavy weight. She looked down to find Amana, in her form of a cat, dead. Two tears trickled down her cheeks as she looked into Jeris' eyes.
"She saved us all," said Lia. Jeris nodded knowingly.
"We heard the whole thing," he said.
"Is Hitomi alright?" asked Lia.
"She's fine," he replied, turning so she could see Hitomi, gathered tightly in Van's arms. "Lia, now probably isn't the best time to ask, but even after everything that's happened, will you marry me?" Lia giggled slightly.
"Why not, didn't I already say I would? And besides, I promised Amana that I'd find happiness," she said. Jeris grinned and swung her up into a fierce hug.
"Then we'll make that last wish come true," he said.
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Epilogue:
Lia and Jeris returned to Lavia and a people grateful for an end to the long civil war. Six months later they were married and officially named king and queen of the small island country. On the same day, Hitomi and Van were also wed and Van acknowledged Hitomi as the Queen of Fanelia. During those six months after their wedding, Lia and Jeris named Aethan, Owean, Mandan and Yaren the Lavian generals and Aletta, after finishing her training under Lia, became the Master Mage of Lavia. Along with Asnee and Pillan, whose mind had been freed from Aloran's spell, she created the first public school in Lavia to educate both the lower class and the potential mages that began popping up around the country.
Rory and Amana were given heroes burials and a permanent memorial was created in their memory. Lia set about learning as much about her family's past as she could and after much searching, found her mothers old diary which proved in truth that Lia had been one of twins born to the old Queen of Lavia. On the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year when they had been but four years old, the boy, Rhodry, had disappeared, never to be seen again.
Allen, Celena and Miguel returned to Asturia to live out relatively normal and peaceful lives. Well, as peaceful as having a half psychotic young man who just happened to be Celena's alter ego handing around. Merle, Van and Hitomi returned to Fanelia to take care of a frightened citizenry and immediately established a strong alliance with Lavia, as it was quickly growing in political power. With the civil war over, the Lavian people looked forward to a new and hope-filled future.
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Author's Note: And I am done with that… finally. Took me a while huh. Well the madness isn't over yet, I'm writing a sequel to the insanity. A Gundam Wing crossover for that matter… Yep, more editing for poor poor Jade the Grammar Police. Hehe, have funJ (10/24/02: I am not writing a sequel. I just wanted to finish posting what I started. This story will end here, in my opinion, though I love the characters to death, it's too cliché and not worth continuing. And yes, this was the one chapter Jade-chan never edited.)