"Huma, in Paladine's name, please say something!" The silver dragon's golden eyes glistened with fear and apprehension as she closely studied the knight's face for a reaction to her sudden revelation. Seeing his confusion, Gwyneth rapidly polymorphed back into her maiden form, her luxurious hair glinting the same silver as her dragon scales had in the sun. The dragon maiden spoke quickly and desperately, afraid that she would lose her love. "My brother told me what I did not see at first, that I had fallen prey to what has happened to only a few others in the past. I have lived among you for so long that I had come to love as you do"
Huma felt his head pounding, felt the bloody wound of his temple reopen as he stared in shock at his love. It was almost too fantastic to be real. In his dazed state, Huma managed to choke out, "Why?"
Gwyneth hesitated for a moment before replying in a low, passionate voice, her sunlit eyes filled with love. "You embody the very beliefs of Paladine. You are brave, kind, never hateful. I came to love you for you, nothing else,"
"Ah, the happy lovers," Galan Dracos' oily voice slithered out of the darkness, solidifying into a dark figure that stood cloaked in shadows before the lovers. "I would have made my presence known sooner, but I did not care to interrupt such a beautiful scene." His thin lips twisted into a cruel smile as he amusedly watched Huma attempt to attack his illusion. "I've come to add to your miseries, Huma. I've come to repay you for the loss of Crynus. I must admit, his insanity grew unpredictable in the end. But he was my best commander and I shall miss him. Pity."
Hearing the sound of their arch foe, Kaz and Bennet came running to help Huma. Unfortunately, an invisible wall blocked their way, preventing them from aiding anyone. Kaz cursed and his angry bovine fists rained harmlessly on the barrier.
"An eye for an eye, you pathetic mortal," Dracos raised his hand, materializing the tortured form of Magius. Magius felt himself slowly drifting into consciousness.
"Magius!" Huma gasped in horror. His best friend looked barely recognizable, his blood staining his white robes crimson…white robes?! Shock rippled through Huma's body.
Faces swirled around Magius, the faces of everyone he had ever known. But one face strayed around from the cyclic flow of the others. It spoke to him, convinced him of its sustenance. Magius almost cried with joy. Here was Huma! He could tell him everything, of Andúnë and his child! Or how he met gods! But it was most important to tell him he had repented, "Hu-Huma, I was right- in the end," he managed to croak, wishing so desperately that his body would allow him to say more quicker.
Dracos smiled indulgently. "He babbles like that occasionally." Magius caught sight of the Dracos at this moment. Hatred of this man bubbled up deep inside, and with great effort, rolled and spat on Dracos' robes. In a hideous rage, Dracos stretched an open palm, sending the waves of pain that the White Robe knew so well. In his hazy vision, he began to see things appearing before him, unbeknownst to everyone else present. He saw three gods standing in judgement behind Huma and Gwyneth: one white, one red, one black. Each wore a somber expression and spoke with one voice.
The time has come, Magius. You know what you must do.Distantly in the background, he heard mortal voices.
"Test your skills against me, Galan Dracos,"
"I have more power than you could believe, but I do not choose to use it now. I have merely come to show Huma the foolishness if his dreams of victory"
Huma rolled forward, a last desperate attempt to save Magius. If he reaches you, you will be freed but the world will be lost. You will live in darkness for the rest of your days. Huma reached a hand out. Your life condemns your son to death. The death of your beloved Andúnë will be in vain. Magius closed his eyes, calling to memory her image, her strength. He opened them with finality. "Don't Huma. There's no reason anymore. Defeat Dracos. That's all I ask." A white shimmer materialized and stood beside Huma. She smiled.
I am waiting, my love.
"Your time is up, my friend!" Each wave of green light tore through his flesh like a lance. He screamed, but kept his eyes on Andúnë. He cursed himself for not doing that every day of his life. Alas, the spasms of pain contorted his body, forcing his battered face towards the heavens. She knelt at his side, stroking his face as he suffered one last time.
You've won, Magius, my beloved. Bursts of bright color flashed through his mind's eye. Pain…nothing but pain…
Come home…
Magius of the White Robes looked upon the face of his only love. Shakily, he leaned forward and felt the feathery brush of her lips against his own. He closed his eyes, but he still saw her face, forever burned into the back of his eyelids. I never got a chance to tell you that I've always loved you. With the final whisper of his heart, he shuddered and felt nothing more.