Author's Notes: Yep, this counts as a streak I tell you. Only two more chaps and a short Epi for you all. And, I might be getting more art for this fiction series.
Chapter 9: The Offer
All was utter silence in my mind though all around me was chaos. I carried the sword with me, wrapped in the Cloth of Eternity along with the circlet of the sorceress. Nysil looked frantic; gesturing wildly for me to speed up, for the castle was crumbling down around me. Worst of all, the island was sinking back into the sea.
Suddenly the winds whipped around me and carried me to the back of the great serpent. Damn Tiamat, he would not allow me to die in peace. I dropped the sword, the cloak and the circlet at the feet of Nysil and moved away to where Nobomena stood near the guardian Greiven of the Earth. The man's similarity to my father always unnerved me. Far scarier was the knowledge that in the child Rey the bloodlines of the four guardians were mingled. You see, my father's sire was a son of Greiven, and his mother was a daughter of Feniux. Nysil's line sired the royal family Loire, though it was mingled faintly was the line of Greiven generations back. And Rein'ly, angel of winds, created the Almasy family, the ancient sires of Drewel's mother and the retainers of the King. So, to sum it up, I am a daughter of Feniux and Greiven, and my love was a child of Nysil and Rein'ly, with Greiven in there somewhere. Rey was a special child they said, and from his line would come those that seal away darkness, and forever the four would be reborn within the descendants of that line.
I took the dead form of my love into my arms and finally let fall all of my tears. Yet my tears could never bring my lover back.
"Mercale," came a soft voice, one I think I always knew. "Do you love Drewel?"
"Yes," I whispered softly.
"Would you experience any pain at all for him?" Corin/Feniux asked as he finally kneeled at my side.
"Any pain that exists."
"Even death?" questioned Nysil.
"Especially death."
"Then rid yourself of mortality Mercale, and you will have him live again," came the stronger voice of Greiven.
A look of shock must have clouded my face, so Rein'ly spoke up this time to explain.
"We are tired. Very tired Mercale, daughter of fire and earth. So rarely can we now exist physically anymore, and summonings like the Trial are so strenuous…"
"What are you getting at?" I quickly questioned.
"Many years ago we were vested with the ability to choose one to give partial reign over our powers. This one would keep our resting place safe. One to choose ones of our lines, and more importantly, ones of their own line, to become new guardians and help us in our sacred task. You would be the smith and the keeper of what would be known as the Guardian Forces. You would give them immortality, new forms beyond the withering of time, and a chance to protect and ensure humanity's survival," Corin provided.
"I can't without Drew," my voice gained strength now.
"He would be the first Guardian, once you have fashioned for him a vassal," Greiven said. "But never again will you see your family."
"Please… I would do it. We could watch over Rey right?"
"Absolutely. You would need to protect him," Nysil said.
"I will do it."