I don't own anything that you can recognise that is DEFINITELY from Dark is Rising!

Summary: The weight of the world lies on their young shoulder, to save it from the Dark. Young yet ageless, innocent yet wise. Through their immortal bonds came love, through love, came hate, and through hate, the Dark came rising in.

Competition Scoreboard:

Light:             145

Dark:              0

We need some action from the Dark here! There's nothing wrong being the Dark! Without the Dark, there would be no Light! Everything is relative speaking!

Last Chapter: Catching a silently weeping Haven in an enveloping embrace, John whispered in her ear in a strong, decided voice:

"But, I know I will never choose to live in a lie."

********************************************************

THE CIRCLE OF THE LIGHT

Part three: The Awakening.

Max blinked once, twice, and slowly, painstakingly he opened his eyes. Without thinking, he muttered with an obvious annoyance:

"The Moon is too bright today. How are we suppose to sleep like this? It's even brighter than the sun!"

Turning his head to the side, he suddenly saw that he is not in his bedroom, nor even in his house! And the moon is definitely not that bright tonight. He is, in fact, in a very well lit room, lying on a sofa. This is exactly why I have cramps in my head, if people just dump me in a random house on a sofa! He thought with indignantly. John's supposed to watch over me! Wait. This is Haven's place! Gosh, where is my brain today! Glancing to the other side, he saw Haven, weeping in his brother's embrace, an awkward looking Leo standing by the door, and a concerned looking Mr Dawson, who looked like he was about to say something. Something's wrong. I just know it. If I could just move my head a little bit to the right…and open my mouth…

"What's wrong Haven? Are you ok?"

Everyone turned and looked at him with an odd expression, especially John, who looked simply terrified. Haven wiped her eyes hastily, and rushed over to him:

"Max, thank goodness you are awake. You had us all worried! What happened?"

John however, continued to stare blankly at his younger brother's face.

"What John? Have I sprouted an extra head or something? Or have my eyes turned purple?"

Finally, John spoke with a strangely flat voice: "That language, Max. You used it when you were delirious. What language was that? Where did you learn it?"

"What!? You mean I spoke a different language? How can I speak in a different language when I don't even realise?"

"Because Max, the Ancient Tongue of the Light runs in your blood. It is your heritage."

To everyone's surprise, Haven replied to this with a disturbing calmness, like the calm before a storm. "Frank, Leo and I here, are the only ones who could understand you. Frank and I because we are the same as you, the Blessings of the Old World runs in our bloods. Leo, because he happens to be one of the precious few mortals that leaves a significant print in our deep patterns. It was in his blood too."

Max stared at her as if she has finally gone out of her minds.

She's raving mad that one! What's she on about? The Light? The Old World? Ancient Tongue? You could almost hear the capital letters on each of them. Has she read too much fantasy books?

"I am not mad Max. Nor have I been reading too much fantasy books. And yes, they are spelt with capital letters. Oh, and before you ask, I can hear what's going on in your head, now that you have Awaken." Said Haven in a bemused tone, with just the barest hint of sarcasm in her voice.

Gaping openly at her, Max spluttered: "Why? How? When? What the? Who? Who…you? Me…Frank? Leo? Light? Telepathy?"

By now, despite the serious and alarming situation, everyone was laughing at the completely nonplussed Max, who, having no clue what's going on still, carried on ranting out questions and bits of words, haphazardly jumbled together.

"Oh, oh! This is got to be the most hilarious sight!" gasped Haven, wiping a tear out of her eye. "Right, stop there Max, too many questions at once! I can't answer them all. The best thing to do, the thing we should do, is take you to the Hall of Memories and the Chamber of Heritage, where you can seek out the answers to all these questions."

"The Hall of…wait a minute? Are you trying to tell me something?"

"Yes. You will understand when we get there. We leave at once, that is, Max, Frank, Leo, and I."

Uncertain of his position, John asked rather quietly: "May I come?" and winced when Haven sighed and her eyes looked into the past, where he never existed, not even once.

"John. Why do you want to? It will just hurt you more. Learning about things that you will never be a part of, things that you could never do, never have? It is an experience I don't want you to have. I have known mortals, whose minds were corrupted and used by the Dark. For their unsatisfied greed for power and immortality drove them to that edge. I don't want the same to happen to you."

Looking at Haven's sad brown eyes, John pleaded: "I need to know, Haven. I need to know what he is in for! I need to be prepared for my choice, for what I will be witnessing. Don't you understand?"

"It is against the Rules of the Light." With this, she turned to the door, leading Max out.

"Haven…please?"

Oh he looks so small, so vulnerable. He is right. He needs to be prepared for what he will undoubtedly see in the future. What unfeeling things the Light is capable of, when it comes to helping the world in general. How we didn't even blink when we sacrificed our mortal loves for our Universal goal. How…no…I can't let him see those…he shall loose faith in the Light. But if I don't show him, these things will happen again. Then, there will be no hope!

"John…promise me something?" without turning around, Haven asked him, her eyes moist as he nodded: "Don't judge the Light without seeing the Dark…"

***********************************************************

Competition questions:

a) What is the Hall of Memories and the Chamber of Knowledge? [20 pts]

b) What does Max and John see that is good? What do they see that        

     is bad? [30 pts]

c) What will be John and Max's reactions to this? [20 pts]

***********************************************************

Silver on the Tree: Thank you. I don't know about prequel, maybe? Very good for the competitions, give you full marks for a), b), and 20 pts for c). So that's a total of 70 pts to the Light! BRAVO!!!!! For c) your first answer was closer to the truth!

Sam(Davidson): Thanks for reading! Ah, Leo, as the Lion of the Light, is different from Merriman. Lions, in my opinion, are mortal and subject to death. Once their purpose is done, there will be no need for them on earth. It's a bit like Hawkins, you know, The Walker. For competition, same, very good! Give you full marks for a), b), c) ooh, extremely close, give you 25 pts. you will see soon how close you are! So that's 75 pts to the Light! WELL DONE!!!!!

***********************************************************

I know they are pretty short Chapters. But I want to get them out quickly, and it feels right to stop there.

Keep on reviewing!