Chapter 34-Strength of a Moon Avatar

An oppressive silence hung in the dim chamber as Trance was motionless. The multitude of opposite-future Trances watched gravely. The silence was broken by the gold leader who spoke a single word: "Tule," he ordered, looking at Gaheris and Veghn. "Go to your mother, child."

Gaheris took Veghn's hand and took a step forward.

"Not you," the leader said harshly. "Only the child."

Gaheris masked his anguish. "Go," he told Veghn. "Don't let her die." He fell to his knees and released the boy's hand.

Veghn took a few cautious steps. Seeing that no one was going to stop him, he broke into a dead run, collapsing by Trance's side. He took her hand and cried, tears dripping onto her motionless body. "Please wake up," he whispered through the tears. "She's cold," he said softly, looking back at Gaheris. "Daddy, she's cold."

She's not dead! One of the purple Trances announced. She is cold because she was cut off from our sun!

Lend her your light, child. A gold Trance said softly, tail flicking behind her. Lend her your light. You know what to do.

Veghn hesitated, glancing back at his father for encouragement. Gaheris smiled. "You can do it," he whispered harshly.

Veghn blew a breath out. He placed his hands on either side of Trance's head, placing it in his lap, like she had done for him. The corners of his lips twitched nervously as he closed his eyes. Veghn began to glow a soft, shimmering silver. The glow lifted off his skin. The light enveloped Trance like a shroud, and Veghn fell back, gasping fro breath. He was now a pale silver and he was crying uncontrollably.

Gaheris lunged forward toward him, but was hit across the knees with a metal staff again. "My son," he groaned, grabbing the staff and pulling it so the guard fell forward. Gaheris stumbled past to Veghn's huddled form. The leader raised his hand in a gesture to the guards, who stood down and allowed the Nietzschean to go to his son.

Gaheris stumbled forward to wrap his son in his arms. Veghn's tears soaked a wet spot into his red uniform jacket he had worn over three hundred years ago. He heard a sudden, ragged intake of breath from beside him. "Trance," Gaheris whispered.

Veghn crawled out of his father's arms and went to hug his mother.

Trance's chest heaved up and down in great gulps of air. Her skin had taken on a soft silver glow, reminiscent of Veghn's light that had enveloped her, as she lay unconscious. Her mouth moved, as if to speak, but she had no breath to form the words.

Gaheris gently kissed her lips. "Don't talk," he said softly. "Save your strength."

Trance would not be deterred. Gaheris leaned in close to hear her murmuring; "Isil, Isil, Isil."

Gaheris frowned, thinking the universe would be a better place if there were only one language.

"Isil," Veghn whispered. "Moon."

"You are a moon avatar, Veghn Rhade," a gold Trance said. "A strong avatar. The strength of your moon saved your mother."

The gold leader looked on impassively as Gaheris and Veghn helped Trance to her feet. The bright silver glow was fading, and as it faded, Trance grew stronger.

"The child is a Moon Avatar," the gold leader announced. "That much is clear. He will be the key to the perfect possible future, a guide to Dylan Hunt, the champion of the light. It does not happen often, but we the Meeting have misjudged you," the gold leader admitted. "Trance Gemini, your act of selfless love has made the perfect future more possible. Gaheris Rhade, without your life, this would never have happened," he hesitated. "Thank you, and please receive my blessings."

Gaheris inclined his head in respect, but said nothing.

"Child, have you anything to say?" the leader asked.

The boy released Gaheris's hand and walked up to the leader. "I am Veghn Rhade," he said clearly without hesitation. "Out of Trance, by Gaheris. I am both Nietzschean," he raised his forearm, showing the nubs that were already beginning to erupt into bone blades, "and Avatar," his tail rose up and wrapped itself around the forearm. "And I want to go back to the Andromeda."

A/N: yes, boys and girls, the Trial is over! CELEBRATE!

Preview: Nemay and Xena meet up with Telemachus.