Chapter Thirty-Five –
The Calling
There were a few, precious, and almost entirely overlooked moments at dawn – moments so quick, so soundless, so fleeting that it seemed they were gone before they had even begun – in which the world was utterly still. In the brief but inexplicably eternal space between the appearance of the first of the sun's rays and the glorious explosion of light that was the entrance of that noble celestial being into the morning sky, there was a hush: a peace, serenity, and motionlessness that was, without question, everywhere.
The deepest, most morose and daunting swamps and marshes of the world saw it; the shining rays of the sun glimpsed shortly upon the murky waters there, and bounced off of the moss-hung reeds. The spectacular citadels, great cities, tiny villages, remote thatched-roof huts housing hermit-like shepherds, and awe-inspiring, pristine temples with their immaculate columns of white – these all saw it as well. The stone, wood, and earth that they were composed of witnessed this singular moment of the morning, never once neglecting it, even while their less-durable, living inhabitants were either still slumbering, fast in their dreams, or beginning to stir, or perhaps even looking forward to more hours of wakefulness, or heading to bed at last.
Such was life.
Boundless fields also bore a part in this event, as did the rugged wastelands and deserts, the vast and deep forests, the shorelines of every piece of land, the ocean itself. Some living things were able to sense the moment as well: the birds and beasts, and their like…there were few beyond them who were so well attuned to the earth that they could actually take notice of such an ephemeral pause.
So quickly this world moves…
And the world would continue to whisper this to itself: these words succinct and yet inconspicuous among the innumerable layers of noises, as life moved on…
So quickly…
There was, perhaps, one part of nature that was most suited to this moment of peace. It would not be hard to guess at what this part happened to be, either, for what could be closer to the sun – the heart of the soul-stirring silence – than the towering and majestic peaks of the mountain ranges of Evyrworld?
These ancient giants, seated in all their firm and timeless grandeur atop the world, looked down upon the rest of the earth: secure in their unmovable strength. They were the denizens of the world who first saw the Light as it burst into the sky. And because they were ageless, the first of the earth, they saw everything; they knew everything. They alone knew this moment each morning, and never neglected it.
If mountains could think, or speak, and could tell stories of the things that had passed before their stony eyes…
On the dawn of the first day in the third month of winter, the world saw an entirely new and totally unprecedented moment, however. For there was a new whisper added into the cadence of life's ever-changing yet unstoppable music – it was a soft voice, but its tone and words were filled with power, and command, and the kind of magic that was impossible to deny, or to disregard. Borne on the wings of the wind, the words of this voice were flung into the air, and went racing around the world. The mind's ear of magical beings – legendary creatures, and people – heard this voice, and hearkened to it. And awakened.
The time of waiting is past, She said, allowing her fingers to unfurl: like the petals of the fragrant blossoms that fell from the trees around her, as she rested her hands on her lap. The world around her seemed blurry and insubstantial through her lashes, half-veiling her vivid and Spring-filled eyes. Everything seemed bathed in an ambient golden light, as the sun continued to rise, growing in size and warmth and closeness with each second that passed by.
She closed her eyes all the way again, and delved deep inside of herself, listening to the millions of whispers of the living creation she was part of.
A great darkness grows in the sky, lingering on the horizon as it waits for its time to stretch out its talons to cause the blood of the world to run between its fingers again. Those who seek good, and follow it, and keep to their oath to protect the weak and the unknowing and oppressed, have rallied their strength, and prepared for this time. Their strength shall now be called upon…but they will not be left alone…
We shall never leave you alone again…
Now arise from your sleeping – grasp the hilt of the sword, the smooth shaft of the arrow, the steel-tipped spear. Take into your hand the reins of your war-steeds – board your white-sailed ships – unfurl the standards etched with words of strife and glory and let them snap proudly in the wind. Stand tall and face the rising sun: be assured and undaunted, she will not leave you in this hour…
Stand and fight – let armies clash and the forces of good and evil war for the fate of the world… I call upon you, I summon you, but you hear the commands yourself, in your heart, long before I speak. You know what it is you must do…
Hear me, and come, all of you, each one—
We go to World's End!
All at once, it seemed as if the sun had burst; for one stunned and terrifying, one heart-freezing moment, it seemed as if such a cataclysm had taken place.
The entire world witnessed it: each living creature, each part of nature, everything and everyone saw it, wrenched from their sleep by the silent blast. The pale blue and gold of the sky was obliterated in that split second, and everything was charged with brilliant white, so dazzling that it was impossible to evade in any way.
It was seen in the Dark Realm. The creatures there cringed and cowered against it, with some turning steadfastly to glare back against it, even as it disappeared, as quickly as it had come. It was seen in the White Realm, where faeries, elves, vampyres, and their compatriots all turned towards it, taken aback, and some became fearful.
What had things come to? Was this some latest trick of the accursed Ebony Queen? What was the Lord of the Faeries attempting to do?
At any rate, whatever the answer to all this was, everyone was awake now.
* * *
And far, far away from all of them, in a once-abandoned manor in a secluded stretch of the woods of Elvendome, the broad-shouldered and dark-garbed figure of Jaedin, the Dark Lord of Sytherria, stepped out of the shadows beneath the pillared pergola of white marble. The soles of his black boots made a soft imprint on the pale green, frost-spiked grass as he approached the white figure before him, all the while watching her with careful and introspective eyes, respectfully keeping the silence.
He paused behind her, waiting, and at length, she exhaled: letting her proud shoulders flag a bit and relax, her spine curving as she withdrew into herself in search of renewing strength.
Then he knew she had done all she had purposed to do.
After waiting another moment for her to collect herself, Jaedin carefully seated himself behind her, bending one knee so that he could form his own frame into a sort of protective wall around her. His cloak of black velvet, so much like the wings of an enormous bat, swooped in around her; the dazzling white and shade of nighttime met, and fell easily into companionship with one another. She reached up and put one small, tired hand on his shoulder, resting her forehead in the hollow of his neck, just below his chin.
They continued in silence for a long while.
Finally, she inhaled a deep, shuddering breath, and let her eyelids slowly flutter open again. He put a hand to her temple, pressing his fingertips slightly against her skin, and put forth his particular vampyric abilities to read the conditions of other creatures.
She hid her fatigue and uncertainty well, this princess – this goddess – and it took him, even him, a moment to push through the outer veils and break into the true, vital core of her being…but in a moment, he did. He closed his own eyes and let some of his own strength flow through to her, knowing that he could hardly imagine how exceedingly strenuous the task she had just taken upon herself to enact had been.
He had wanted her to let him help – to allow him to send out the words of the Calling himself, but both of them had known: this was for her to do. As Love, she was first and foremost to draw all creatures of the Light together. Hate would have his own time, in which she would not be able to aid him, except in the end, after his task had been completed. Now he could only give her his strength once she had spent herself.
Elowyn was staring at the sunlit blades of grass now.
"Is it done?" he asked her, softly, and she nodded. She didn't even seem to see him; only hear his voice.
"Yes."
She let herself fall further into his comforting darkness, and wrapped her arms about herself, thinking of what the end of that day might hold for them. Then she whispered it, again.
"Yes."
The Calling has been made – now all good and Light must join together, in a bond that cannot be sundered, and go forth to face all evil.
* * *
A/N: And now for shout-outs!
Grayfalcon: Oh, don't worry about Elowyn and Jaedin's newfound identities as god and goddess. It…well, I can't give away too much, but I can tell you that they won't be leaving their comrades anytime soon. That would be just a bit too much emotional strain to put on my characters, and goodness knows there are a few of them *cough cough Jay cough cough* who would simply snap, mentally, if subjected to too much of that. So rest assured, they will both be around for a while. And Jaedin as a father… *looks impish*
Jaedin: *from the corner of the room where he is lounging on the floor while Shinzon, Bellerephon, Dorian Gray, and…Darth Vader (?!) are playing Clue…* We. Are. NOT. Having. This. Discussion. Again.
Kates: I wasn't talking to you, so "we" are not having a conversation about "this". Go away.
Jaedin: *mutters several choice phrases under his breath*
Kates: *tastefully ignores him*
I have my plans, have no doubts. ^_^ And it will be interesting, as the story is still far from over yet. They have to vanquish the Ebony Queen, remember…
Rosethorn: Well, falling in love with one's worst enemy – who also just so happens to be the evil Dark Lord of the day – can do funny things to one's mind. Along with finding out she was once married to that same Dark Lord…yes, that's definitely why she's spazzing. Although she is about to find out just how extremely helpful her newly regained goddess powers can be… To Gavin: Cool it. You got to be in the first story in the series, so you were one of the first people of Evyrworld whom anyone one earth got to meet. You were the second, actually, come to think of it. And you were allowed out of my house to stay with Rosethorn, which is a privilege I have as of yet to grant to any of my other characters. So Elowyn's a goddess. Simmer down or I'll have Rosethorn feed you on gingersnaps and buttermilk for a week. *smiles benignly, with an edge of menace underneath* The gingersnaps never fail to intimidate, you see.
Raal the Sword Master: *chuckles* Exactly the reaction I was hoping for – although I hope your mind wasn't so frightened that it staunchly refused to come out from under the chair. *offers conciliatory smile*
Yes, the title does have a lot more to it than just the fact that hate and love are central parts to Jaedin and Elowyn's emotions for one another. As for the Seven and the Nine issue…ugh. Just brought to mind an unintentional Lord of the Rings similarity there. (Prof. Tolkien! Why Nine? *Kates grumbles under her breath for a moment*) Ah well. Everyone will have to eventually find out about Jaedin and Elowyn's true status, but it won't be until the very last. (Sorry, everybody.) I can't tell you exactly how everyone will find out, but there will be varied reactions. Jaedin's life essence – welllll…no, I suppose. But Zaschaea still thinks he is slowly dying from that whole deal, an assumption which Jaedin will use as best and as painfully as he can against her, when they finally meet up again. She's definitely not expecting Jaedin to show up and make a revelation about being a once-exiled demi-god, though.
And yes, they are still Jaedin and Elowyn, for our purposes. As an amateur, unknown and unpublished-as-of-yet writer, I don't want to have the rather interesting scenario they have in tales like the Symphony of Ages trilogy, where one character may have up to five different names and titles…
Christina: Yes, the title was definitely a clue. Answer to your first question: yes, they will have their powers again, although I cannot yet reveal when they will regain them. As for the second question…hmm. I've not yet really thought over that yet. There are already thirty-six official chapters – including the author's notes before each new part – in this, and I hate to have this be so long that people look at it and go, whoa, waaaaaay too long, don't have time to waste on that, and then skip it. Poor little baby story. *pats enormous fine leather-and-brass-bound manuscript, which will, sometime in the distant and unforeseeable future, be the epic, Real-World published True Hate and True Love* But…I'm guessing possibly five or six chapters more, if that much. But then, I've always shocked myself at how long I tend to write, so who knows…
Gryffindor-Gal3: *darts a nervous look around computer room* Ah-hehehehe. I hope your printer isn't too angry with me, then. Do make sure you lock the doors before you leave it alone after printing off my textbook-size chapters. I don't want to be mercilessly tortured and slain by a rampaging, vindictive printer who resents the length of my tales.
And don't you worry either! Jaedin and Elowyn are not going anywhere soon! ^_^
Jedi Blu, Lady At Large: Oh do I know all about disappearing from the internet – or at least fanfiction.net – for…extended amounts of time that are not hours or days. Horrid, isn't it… Answers to questions now. Yes, Jaedin and Elowyn will eventually regain their powers, although when I cannot say. If they don't get them until after the battle with the Queen, that won't be very helpful. But, then again… Can't say more. You all will simply have to keep trekking along with me and wait to see. Hate as having positive qualities: well, really, in the end, hate is actually love. If you hate something bad – like crime, sickness, etc. – then it's really because you would love to see a world where things like that don't exist. Which is what makes Elowyn and Jaedin, as individuals, so closely tied together. So.
Next update to arrive soon, I promise – a battle, and cameo appearances by our favorite comic relief character, the famous Legolas Greenleaf look-alike, my version of Beauty and her Beast, and various others, and the return of the resident Faery Princess and the Dark Knight of Sytherria...!