A/N: BWAHAHA! ((hack, sneeze, choke, gurgle))
That's right! It's cold and flu season! Which explains the delay of this chapter. ((sneezes again)) Make sure y'all get your shots...unfortunately, mine hit before I had a chance ((hack)). So with nothing else to do I decided to write this...since I haven't been in class for the past three days...evilness...((sneeze)). Well, here you go, and as always, REVIEW OR I'LL SPREAD THE PLAGUE UPON YOU!! ((hacks up lung))...O_O Didn't need that thing anyway.
CHAPTER CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE END OF DURAN/ANGELA QUEST. YOU WERE WARNED.
*~*
The Grand Tournament
Chapter 13
~*~
Sitting up sluggishly in bed, Hawk rubbed his temples before running his hands through his long hair. The sun hadn't even risen, and after their long night at the party, the Nightblade was certain he should be more tired. After a few minutes of trying in vain to go back to sleep, he finally gave up, grabbed his robe, and stumbled out of the room quietly.
Shuffling down the hallway, Hawk paused, startled to find the Darkshine Knight leaning against the wall.
"Couldn't sleep either?" The thief's tired voice caused the Knight to look up in surprise, his eyes dim; a sure sign of lack of sleep.
"...It's hard to sleep knowing you have to fight a battle. Especially against one of your new friends." Hawk blinked at Darkshine's statement. Friend? Did Darkshine consider him a friend?
'Well of course, you idiot.' Hawk's mind retorted, 'You've been talking a lot lately and getting to know each other...and you think of him as a friend too, so don't act so shocked.'
"Agreed. Let's get some air outside, c'mon."
~*~
"What is it like," Hawk began, breathing in the cool morning air, "to constantly be in that armor?" Darkshine's eyes faltered.
"It's like a cage. Like a cage that has no lock or key but you're still trapped inside of it."
"Just physically, I can understand that." Hawk replied, looking out onto the horizon where the sun god was beginning to peak out its eye, "But what do you feel?"
"..."
"Darkshine?"
"I feel...lost. Alone, even though you're standing right next to me. And I feel like I can't speak, even though I'm telling you this right now. I can't free myself, Hawk, I can't even say what I want to say. I guess I don't know what it's like, because I can't even feel it anymore..."
Hawk remained silent, aware of Darkshine's discomfort. Then, Darkshine brought his hands to his head and unbuckled the steel straps around his ears, lifted the crown of the heavy helmet, and set it down on the ground. Hawk gazed in awe as Darkshine then took off the rest of the headgear and opened his true, non-ghostly eyes.
'What? I've...I've seen this guy before...have I? He looks just like...just like...' Hawk's eyes widened.
"Hawk, if I may ask a favor of you, please, during our fight today?"
~*~
"Welcome to the fifth fight of the Grand Tournament! Today is sure to be a doozy, since we have two competitors from the same team going against each other! Mind you, the committee didn't know that until much later, but the fighters have agreed to battle on anyway!" Shichi bubbled up and down, giggling and winking at the cheering crowd.
"So strange...Hawk wasn't in bed when I woke up this morning. I wonder where he went off to?" Lise mused aloud, playing with her hair ribbon. Heath glanced over.
"The Deathjester also said that Darkshine wasn't there when he woke up...maybe they went to talk or something. Makes sense." The Mage explained, shrugging. Angela perked up suddenly.
"So maybe they talked about, like, making a truce or something! That'd be so cool! That way..." Duran cleared his throat, making Angela stop mid-sentence.
"...No. Neither the Darkshine Knight nor Hawk would ever back down from a fight, they're going to duke it out no matter what you think or hope. It's just the way they do things I guess." The Swordmaster explained and settled down again, making Angela huff in disappointment.
"Coming in at the left side of the arena is the Darkshine Knight of the Glass Desert! And to my right is Hawk of the Sands of Navarre!" the miniature referee squealed in delight as both fighter appeared in their respective places and made their way into the arena. Hawk stood boldly, trying to reclaim his thoughts after he and Darkshine's discussion.
'Just remember what to do and when to do it, or else it's going to end in disaster. Just remember...' he reassured himself, picturing Darkshine's true face, his eyes full of pleading mercy, of hurt and pain...
"All right gentlemen, I want a good, clean fight...but of course, you can tear each other to pieces!" shouted Shichi, sending the crowd ablaze with screams of delight. Hawk and Darkshine stood motionless, glaring each other down before the final call.
"Ready...aaannnd...BEGIN!"
Hawk darted from the center of the arena to the side and placed his hands on his dagger sheaths; Darkshine hadn't moved.
'Good, he's doing what he said he would...meaning...'
Darkshine opened his hand to reveal a glowing orb of black light, which grew bigger and longer as each second passed. Slowly, it formed into the shadow of a sword, before surfacing as a reality; being a sword of pure onyx and obsidian, sharp as dragon teeth. He took his stance, ready to attack his opponent at any second. Hawk took in a breath. Silence prevailed only for a second before the clang of metal echoed throughout the arena as Darkshine and Hawk stood locked with blades drawn. Hawk pushed forward his kodachi to try and knock the knight off his balance, but Darkshine pushed back with his dark sword. Black lightning began to crack between the two warriors and they finally separated only to throw themselves at each other again and again in a strange dance of strength.
"Since this still is a fight, I guess I should show off a little bit." Chuckled Darkshine, and jumped back far enough to create a good distance between him and the Nightblade. Hawk stood at defense while the Knight began to chant and his sword began to glow crimson. Hawk suddenly felt the air around him turn as hot as a mid-summer day, and shielded his face from the burning emanating from Darkshine. The Knight plunged his sword into the air and it suddenly burst into brilliant flame, causing Hawk to retreat slightly into his cloak.
"ERUPTION SWORD!!" roared Darkshine, and he plunged the red-hot blade into the arena floor, causing a deep crack to start racing towards Hawk. Eyes wide, the thief jumped out of the way just in time before a stream of magma shot into the air like a fountain. Landing at the edge of the arena, Hawk gazed in shock at Darkshine's power.
'Is that what he meant by the powers the Emperor gave him?' Hawk's mind raced as he stood up to meet Darkshine who was standing amidst the bubbling lava. Hawk smirked.
"Might as well show off myself." He collected himself within his cape and the very air around him began to hum. Darkshine continued to glare, seemingly non-pulsed by Hawk's sudden change in battle tactic. A dark aura surrounded the thief as he collected all his energy and began to blur out of everyone's sight. When Darkshine blinked for just a moment, his eyes opened to three Hawks standing before him, all poised for attack.
"This is the power of a Nightblade! SPLIT IMAGE SLICE!" Hawk cried, and his two clones dashed forward and began to rip and tear into Darkshine like animals.
'The pain...argh, I didn't know it would be this intense...' Darkshine thought, trying to shake off the doppelgangers to no avail.
~*~
"See, I told you, neither one is holding back." Duran commented, gripping the edges of his chair in anxiety. Angela stared down as well, beginning to bite her nails.
"Heath," Heath turned to Angela, "...What if Darkshine doesn't make it? How will Koren take it...I mean, I know they're close..." Angela asked quietly. Heath crossed his arms and thought for a moment.
"He'll be upset, but from what I know about him he'll understand that it is a battle that Darkshine had to fight. Just like his fight with Jagan, there will only be one winner. I wouldn't worry though, Angela," he soothed, looking at Angela's pained expression, "I think he will be just fine with the news. That is, though, if Darkshine loses in the first place."
"Looks like Hawk has the upper-hand anyway." Lise said, peering down onto the arena, "But that lava is beginning to get everywhere, he better watch out."
~*~
Withdrawing his clones, Hawk stood looking at the crippled Darkshine, who was badly injured from his attack.
'Do I use it now? Or should I wait a little longer?' the Nightblade thought hurriedly. His question was answered when Darkshine stood up and pointed his sword at Hawk.
"You might want to watch out there, friend. The Lava is surrounding you now." It was more a statement of the obvious than a taunt, and Hawk glanced around to find that Darkshine was right; all the remained of Hawk's footing was a small pillar which had formed due to the lava erosion. Darkshine sheathed his sword and took an unfamiliar stance before Hawk, standing in the lava with no damage with the protection of his armor. "As much as I enjoy this fight, it has to end soon..." Hawk noted the pause in Darkshine's voice, knowing the time was near, "Birds of prey need not battle each other over so simple a reason."
"I agree." Hawk replied, and crossed his daggers across his chest. Darkshine placed a hand on the hilt of his giant sword and prepared to dash forward. Almost on cue, he did, racing forward like a streak of black light towards the Nightblade, who had the final attack ready for him.
"SOUL REAPER SCREAM!" Hawk shrieked, and uncrossed his black, glowing knives. Eyes shimmering with the dark magic he lunged forward at Darkshine.
'Okay, my friend, this is what you wanted, so...'
The knife plunged itself through the Knight's armor, penetrating the very depths of Darkshine's soul. The Knight felt as if a key had been turned; as if he could finally breathe.
Instantly, the lava dissipated into a cloud of red steam and the crowd gasped in awe, watching the very still Hawk plunge his kodachi deeper into the wound. Darkshine's eyes faltered once more, and dimmed greatly, peering into Hawk's own. Hawk watched in amazement as for the second time that day, the eyes turned from a glowing violet to a simmering golden-brown.
'That is what I wanted. This is what I need...' Darkshine's voice echoed throughout Hawk's mind, 'I will wait for you, please hurry after everyone congratulates you. East...tower...' Darkshine's heavy body then suddenly gave way to the forces of life beyond reckoning, and fell before Hawk's feet in submission. The armor and knight evaporated into black mist before being blown away from the arena. Silence filled the air as Hawk simply kept his head down, recollecting himself.
"Well, that was sure quick! And the winner of this fight is...Hawk of the Sands of Navarre!!" Shichi cried in glee and the crowd went berserk with screams and shouts. Hawk did not wave, instead, he reached into his cloak and pulled out a red, featureless mask with but only two eye holes and put it on before turning to leave the arena.
~*~
"That was so fast...I didn't know that Hawk was that powerful...I better watch my back, huh?" Joked Duran to Angela, who seemed indifferent about the situation. "Angie?"
"Sorry Duran, do you mind if I spend a little time with Heath for just a bit? I'm sorry...I just..." the Princess tried to explain, but instead trotted ahead of the corridor towards Heath who waited before his bedroom door.
"Uhm? Sure...Angie..." Duran faltered, shrugged, and entered his room peacefully. Angela then turned to Heath expectantly.
"That wasn't a normal spell he cast on Darkshine." She stated, twirling her hair. Heath shifted his weight, "It was different...and why did the fight end so quick? Was...was it deliberate...?"
"I'm not sure." Replied Heath simply, unlocking the door and stepping inside, "It was a soul magic...pretty rare. It's only purpose is to fully dissolve another being's soul, erasing them from existence, without a chance to ever be reborn. It's strange. I didn't know that Hawk had that spell on him...let alone that he would use it on someone he was so friendly with."
"What do you mean?" Angela asked, keeping her voice low as soon as she spotted the sleeping Koren tucked under the bed sheets. Heath smiled partially at the Wizard's sleeping form before answering the question.
"The spell usually only used by people who have a severe hatred of the person...or a true feeling of revenge. That's what makes the spell so effective: it feeds off the hatred of the caster."
"This is too confusing." Angela remarked, sitting down on a chair and rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Why...would he do that?"
~*~
Hawk raced up the tower stairs, black cloak billowing behind him. Finally reaching the heavy wooden door, he burst through and paused in the doorway, amazed. The room set before him was a brilliant bedroom chamber, adorned with satin drapes and beautiful furniture, all blood red and furnished with gold. Lying on the bed was a muscular figure, unmoving and un-breathing. Hawk rushed forth to the bed and shook the man.
"Hey! C'mon! Tell me that it worked! If it didn't...god...if it didn't..." Hawk bit his lip nervously, then gasped slightly when the figure opened his eyes and looked up at the thief.
"...It worked. I'm...I'm back to normal...the curse is lifted!" he shouted happily and threw his fist into the air. Hawk stood back and watched the man stand up, proud of himself. Decked in golden armor, the knight rose above Hawk and grinned happily.
"Since I can do this now, I might as well." He said, alto voice running clear as a spring brook. He outstretched his hand, worn from battle, "I am Loki, Knight of Gold, and I humbly thank you for saving my life." Hawk grinned and shook Loki's hand gratefully. Letting their hands drop Hawk looked up at the knight.
"Loki...would you mind explaining something to me?" the Nightblade asked, walking over towards a furnished chair and sitting down. Loki nodded.
"Go ahead and ask."
"How did that spell work? You didn't really explain it fully to me." Hawk began, taking off his gloves. "All you said is that the spell dissipated a soul out of existence."
"Well, that's right. It does do that. But when one has two souls, they continue to live after being a victim of the Soul Reap. When I was Darkshine Knight, the heavy armor trapped my body and my two souls inside so the power would not overcome me. The spell attacked the dominating soul, the dark one which the Dragon Emperor placed within me, and so my original soul was able to come back into command."
"It's confusing, I know," Loki went on, sitting down as well on a chair opposite of Hawk, "But that magic can only be used when there is a severe hatred for the victim of the spell. How exactly did you pull it off?" Hawk shuffled.
"Well...I picked up from what little you told me before the fight that you were basically a slave for the Emperor...which made me hate him. So I used that hatred against you...since, technically, you were a part of the Dragon Empire." Loki nodded. "What do you propose to do now though, Sir Loki? Can you simply return to the others like this?" Loki shook his head.
"No. I cannot tell you why though...all I have to say to you is that I want you to bring Duran up here. Do you understand? Don't tell him why, just direct him to the tower."
"Right, no problem!" Hawk replied and left the room and Loki behind. Sighing, Loki placed a hand on his sword hilt.
"This will take some time to explain to him..."
*~*
With Loki returned to his normal self, how will Duran react to find his father still alive? And how will the Swordmaster deal with the fact his father had worked for the enemy?
*~*
((hack)) Long, yes. Out of my usual chapter format, yes. But I hope you liked it! Sorry for such the long delay...once again...cold and flu season!!
REVIEW. NOOOOW. Or I'll sick me leprechauns on ya.
That's right! It's cold and flu season! Which explains the delay of this chapter. ((sneezes again)) Make sure y'all get your shots...unfortunately, mine hit before I had a chance ((hack)). So with nothing else to do I decided to write this...since I haven't been in class for the past three days...evilness...((sneeze)). Well, here you go, and as always, REVIEW OR I'LL SPREAD THE PLAGUE UPON YOU!! ((hacks up lung))...O_O Didn't need that thing anyway.
CHAPTER CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE END OF DURAN/ANGELA QUEST. YOU WERE WARNED.
*~*
The Grand Tournament
Chapter 13
~*~
Sitting up sluggishly in bed, Hawk rubbed his temples before running his hands through his long hair. The sun hadn't even risen, and after their long night at the party, the Nightblade was certain he should be more tired. After a few minutes of trying in vain to go back to sleep, he finally gave up, grabbed his robe, and stumbled out of the room quietly.
Shuffling down the hallway, Hawk paused, startled to find the Darkshine Knight leaning against the wall.
"Couldn't sleep either?" The thief's tired voice caused the Knight to look up in surprise, his eyes dim; a sure sign of lack of sleep.
"...It's hard to sleep knowing you have to fight a battle. Especially against one of your new friends." Hawk blinked at Darkshine's statement. Friend? Did Darkshine consider him a friend?
'Well of course, you idiot.' Hawk's mind retorted, 'You've been talking a lot lately and getting to know each other...and you think of him as a friend too, so don't act so shocked.'
"Agreed. Let's get some air outside, c'mon."
~*~
"What is it like," Hawk began, breathing in the cool morning air, "to constantly be in that armor?" Darkshine's eyes faltered.
"It's like a cage. Like a cage that has no lock or key but you're still trapped inside of it."
"Just physically, I can understand that." Hawk replied, looking out onto the horizon where the sun god was beginning to peak out its eye, "But what do you feel?"
"..."
"Darkshine?"
"I feel...lost. Alone, even though you're standing right next to me. And I feel like I can't speak, even though I'm telling you this right now. I can't free myself, Hawk, I can't even say what I want to say. I guess I don't know what it's like, because I can't even feel it anymore..."
Hawk remained silent, aware of Darkshine's discomfort. Then, Darkshine brought his hands to his head and unbuckled the steel straps around his ears, lifted the crown of the heavy helmet, and set it down on the ground. Hawk gazed in awe as Darkshine then took off the rest of the headgear and opened his true, non-ghostly eyes.
'What? I've...I've seen this guy before...have I? He looks just like...just like...' Hawk's eyes widened.
"Hawk, if I may ask a favor of you, please, during our fight today?"
~*~
"Welcome to the fifth fight of the Grand Tournament! Today is sure to be a doozy, since we have two competitors from the same team going against each other! Mind you, the committee didn't know that until much later, but the fighters have agreed to battle on anyway!" Shichi bubbled up and down, giggling and winking at the cheering crowd.
"So strange...Hawk wasn't in bed when I woke up this morning. I wonder where he went off to?" Lise mused aloud, playing with her hair ribbon. Heath glanced over.
"The Deathjester also said that Darkshine wasn't there when he woke up...maybe they went to talk or something. Makes sense." The Mage explained, shrugging. Angela perked up suddenly.
"So maybe they talked about, like, making a truce or something! That'd be so cool! That way..." Duran cleared his throat, making Angela stop mid-sentence.
"...No. Neither the Darkshine Knight nor Hawk would ever back down from a fight, they're going to duke it out no matter what you think or hope. It's just the way they do things I guess." The Swordmaster explained and settled down again, making Angela huff in disappointment.
"Coming in at the left side of the arena is the Darkshine Knight of the Glass Desert! And to my right is Hawk of the Sands of Navarre!" the miniature referee squealed in delight as both fighter appeared in their respective places and made their way into the arena. Hawk stood boldly, trying to reclaim his thoughts after he and Darkshine's discussion.
'Just remember what to do and when to do it, or else it's going to end in disaster. Just remember...' he reassured himself, picturing Darkshine's true face, his eyes full of pleading mercy, of hurt and pain...
"All right gentlemen, I want a good, clean fight...but of course, you can tear each other to pieces!" shouted Shichi, sending the crowd ablaze with screams of delight. Hawk and Darkshine stood motionless, glaring each other down before the final call.
"Ready...aaannnd...BEGIN!"
Hawk darted from the center of the arena to the side and placed his hands on his dagger sheaths; Darkshine hadn't moved.
'Good, he's doing what he said he would...meaning...'
Darkshine opened his hand to reveal a glowing orb of black light, which grew bigger and longer as each second passed. Slowly, it formed into the shadow of a sword, before surfacing as a reality; being a sword of pure onyx and obsidian, sharp as dragon teeth. He took his stance, ready to attack his opponent at any second. Hawk took in a breath. Silence prevailed only for a second before the clang of metal echoed throughout the arena as Darkshine and Hawk stood locked with blades drawn. Hawk pushed forward his kodachi to try and knock the knight off his balance, but Darkshine pushed back with his dark sword. Black lightning began to crack between the two warriors and they finally separated only to throw themselves at each other again and again in a strange dance of strength.
"Since this still is a fight, I guess I should show off a little bit." Chuckled Darkshine, and jumped back far enough to create a good distance between him and the Nightblade. Hawk stood at defense while the Knight began to chant and his sword began to glow crimson. Hawk suddenly felt the air around him turn as hot as a mid-summer day, and shielded his face from the burning emanating from Darkshine. The Knight plunged his sword into the air and it suddenly burst into brilliant flame, causing Hawk to retreat slightly into his cloak.
"ERUPTION SWORD!!" roared Darkshine, and he plunged the red-hot blade into the arena floor, causing a deep crack to start racing towards Hawk. Eyes wide, the thief jumped out of the way just in time before a stream of magma shot into the air like a fountain. Landing at the edge of the arena, Hawk gazed in shock at Darkshine's power.
'Is that what he meant by the powers the Emperor gave him?' Hawk's mind raced as he stood up to meet Darkshine who was standing amidst the bubbling lava. Hawk smirked.
"Might as well show off myself." He collected himself within his cape and the very air around him began to hum. Darkshine continued to glare, seemingly non-pulsed by Hawk's sudden change in battle tactic. A dark aura surrounded the thief as he collected all his energy and began to blur out of everyone's sight. When Darkshine blinked for just a moment, his eyes opened to three Hawks standing before him, all poised for attack.
"This is the power of a Nightblade! SPLIT IMAGE SLICE!" Hawk cried, and his two clones dashed forward and began to rip and tear into Darkshine like animals.
'The pain...argh, I didn't know it would be this intense...' Darkshine thought, trying to shake off the doppelgangers to no avail.
~*~
"See, I told you, neither one is holding back." Duran commented, gripping the edges of his chair in anxiety. Angela stared down as well, beginning to bite her nails.
"Heath," Heath turned to Angela, "...What if Darkshine doesn't make it? How will Koren take it...I mean, I know they're close..." Angela asked quietly. Heath crossed his arms and thought for a moment.
"He'll be upset, but from what I know about him he'll understand that it is a battle that Darkshine had to fight. Just like his fight with Jagan, there will only be one winner. I wouldn't worry though, Angela," he soothed, looking at Angela's pained expression, "I think he will be just fine with the news. That is, though, if Darkshine loses in the first place."
"Looks like Hawk has the upper-hand anyway." Lise said, peering down onto the arena, "But that lava is beginning to get everywhere, he better watch out."
~*~
Withdrawing his clones, Hawk stood looking at the crippled Darkshine, who was badly injured from his attack.
'Do I use it now? Or should I wait a little longer?' the Nightblade thought hurriedly. His question was answered when Darkshine stood up and pointed his sword at Hawk.
"You might want to watch out there, friend. The Lava is surrounding you now." It was more a statement of the obvious than a taunt, and Hawk glanced around to find that Darkshine was right; all the remained of Hawk's footing was a small pillar which had formed due to the lava erosion. Darkshine sheathed his sword and took an unfamiliar stance before Hawk, standing in the lava with no damage with the protection of his armor. "As much as I enjoy this fight, it has to end soon..." Hawk noted the pause in Darkshine's voice, knowing the time was near, "Birds of prey need not battle each other over so simple a reason."
"I agree." Hawk replied, and crossed his daggers across his chest. Darkshine placed a hand on the hilt of his giant sword and prepared to dash forward. Almost on cue, he did, racing forward like a streak of black light towards the Nightblade, who had the final attack ready for him.
"SOUL REAPER SCREAM!" Hawk shrieked, and uncrossed his black, glowing knives. Eyes shimmering with the dark magic he lunged forward at Darkshine.
'Okay, my friend, this is what you wanted, so...'
The knife plunged itself through the Knight's armor, penetrating the very depths of Darkshine's soul. The Knight felt as if a key had been turned; as if he could finally breathe.
Instantly, the lava dissipated into a cloud of red steam and the crowd gasped in awe, watching the very still Hawk plunge his kodachi deeper into the wound. Darkshine's eyes faltered once more, and dimmed greatly, peering into Hawk's own. Hawk watched in amazement as for the second time that day, the eyes turned from a glowing violet to a simmering golden-brown.
'That is what I wanted. This is what I need...' Darkshine's voice echoed throughout Hawk's mind, 'I will wait for you, please hurry after everyone congratulates you. East...tower...' Darkshine's heavy body then suddenly gave way to the forces of life beyond reckoning, and fell before Hawk's feet in submission. The armor and knight evaporated into black mist before being blown away from the arena. Silence filled the air as Hawk simply kept his head down, recollecting himself.
"Well, that was sure quick! And the winner of this fight is...Hawk of the Sands of Navarre!!" Shichi cried in glee and the crowd went berserk with screams and shouts. Hawk did not wave, instead, he reached into his cloak and pulled out a red, featureless mask with but only two eye holes and put it on before turning to leave the arena.
~*~
"That was so fast...I didn't know that Hawk was that powerful...I better watch my back, huh?" Joked Duran to Angela, who seemed indifferent about the situation. "Angie?"
"Sorry Duran, do you mind if I spend a little time with Heath for just a bit? I'm sorry...I just..." the Princess tried to explain, but instead trotted ahead of the corridor towards Heath who waited before his bedroom door.
"Uhm? Sure...Angie..." Duran faltered, shrugged, and entered his room peacefully. Angela then turned to Heath expectantly.
"That wasn't a normal spell he cast on Darkshine." She stated, twirling her hair. Heath shifted his weight, "It was different...and why did the fight end so quick? Was...was it deliberate...?"
"I'm not sure." Replied Heath simply, unlocking the door and stepping inside, "It was a soul magic...pretty rare. It's only purpose is to fully dissolve another being's soul, erasing them from existence, without a chance to ever be reborn. It's strange. I didn't know that Hawk had that spell on him...let alone that he would use it on someone he was so friendly with."
"What do you mean?" Angela asked, keeping her voice low as soon as she spotted the sleeping Koren tucked under the bed sheets. Heath smiled partially at the Wizard's sleeping form before answering the question.
"The spell usually only used by people who have a severe hatred of the person...or a true feeling of revenge. That's what makes the spell so effective: it feeds off the hatred of the caster."
"This is too confusing." Angela remarked, sitting down on a chair and rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Why...would he do that?"
~*~
Hawk raced up the tower stairs, black cloak billowing behind him. Finally reaching the heavy wooden door, he burst through and paused in the doorway, amazed. The room set before him was a brilliant bedroom chamber, adorned with satin drapes and beautiful furniture, all blood red and furnished with gold. Lying on the bed was a muscular figure, unmoving and un-breathing. Hawk rushed forth to the bed and shook the man.
"Hey! C'mon! Tell me that it worked! If it didn't...god...if it didn't..." Hawk bit his lip nervously, then gasped slightly when the figure opened his eyes and looked up at the thief.
"...It worked. I'm...I'm back to normal...the curse is lifted!" he shouted happily and threw his fist into the air. Hawk stood back and watched the man stand up, proud of himself. Decked in golden armor, the knight rose above Hawk and grinned happily.
"Since I can do this now, I might as well." He said, alto voice running clear as a spring brook. He outstretched his hand, worn from battle, "I am Loki, Knight of Gold, and I humbly thank you for saving my life." Hawk grinned and shook Loki's hand gratefully. Letting their hands drop Hawk looked up at the knight.
"Loki...would you mind explaining something to me?" the Nightblade asked, walking over towards a furnished chair and sitting down. Loki nodded.
"Go ahead and ask."
"How did that spell work? You didn't really explain it fully to me." Hawk began, taking off his gloves. "All you said is that the spell dissipated a soul out of existence."
"Well, that's right. It does do that. But when one has two souls, they continue to live after being a victim of the Soul Reap. When I was Darkshine Knight, the heavy armor trapped my body and my two souls inside so the power would not overcome me. The spell attacked the dominating soul, the dark one which the Dragon Emperor placed within me, and so my original soul was able to come back into command."
"It's confusing, I know," Loki went on, sitting down as well on a chair opposite of Hawk, "But that magic can only be used when there is a severe hatred for the victim of the spell. How exactly did you pull it off?" Hawk shuffled.
"Well...I picked up from what little you told me before the fight that you were basically a slave for the Emperor...which made me hate him. So I used that hatred against you...since, technically, you were a part of the Dragon Empire." Loki nodded. "What do you propose to do now though, Sir Loki? Can you simply return to the others like this?" Loki shook his head.
"No. I cannot tell you why though...all I have to say to you is that I want you to bring Duran up here. Do you understand? Don't tell him why, just direct him to the tower."
"Right, no problem!" Hawk replied and left the room and Loki behind. Sighing, Loki placed a hand on his sword hilt.
"This will take some time to explain to him..."
*~*
With Loki returned to his normal self, how will Duran react to find his father still alive? And how will the Swordmaster deal with the fact his father had worked for the enemy?
*~*
((hack)) Long, yes. Out of my usual chapter format, yes. But I hope you liked it! Sorry for such the long delay...once again...cold and flu season!!
REVIEW. NOOOOW. Or I'll sick me leprechauns on ya.