Chapter Ten: Darkness Falls
It had been three days since Serena had been shot and still she had not opened her eyes, and in those three days Darien had not left her side. He still sat next to the bed, asleep. The poison had taken its toll on Serena and she still felt very weak but she knew that time was running out for the royal family and that she had not the time to think of only herself.
It wasn't till Serena had moaned aloud that Darien awoken from his slumber. He noticed that she still seemed a little weak. "Are you okay?" He asked as he moved closer.
Her voice came out in a small whisper, "I'm awake aren't I?" She asked. Darien gave a small chuckle and a grin. "I am still a bit tired, but with a bit more of bed rest and plenty of food I should be fine." She said as she tired to sit up. She failed miserably and groaned as she hit the pillow a little to hard.
"Here let me help." Darien said as he moved behind her, placing his hands just under her arms he slowly and lightly helped her into a sitting position. "Serena I want to ask you something. Is that okay?" When Serena gave nod he continued. "I want to try and use my power of healing again, only this time I want to try and heal you. Can I do this for you?"
"Absolutely not!" Serena snapped, but it was when she saw the look of shock on his face that she softened her tone. "Darien, please forgive my rudeness, its just that I don't want you to use too much energy. Healing others takes a great deal out of any one and because you are so new to this, I fear that you may out do yourself. And in doing so I fear that you will not be able to fight against my father when the time comes."
"I understand." He said softly. "Is there anything I can get for you?" Darien asked as he tried to change the subject.
"Some water and a bit of bread would be heavenly." Serena answered. "I'll be back in a moment." Darien said as he stood and left her room. Why won't she let me help her? She says that I am her equal in magic and in fighting, but she won't let me help. Its as if she's afraid that something might go wrong. Darien thought as he walk quietly to the kitchen.
Meanwhile back at Holborne manner…
"The mercenaries ready to depart within the next week. Within the next four days they should reach the castle, then the remaining thirteen days will be spent setting up camp and planning tactics. They have been paid half of the agreed upon amount and all know that the other half will be paid when the siege is over. And that is if we win." Spoke Joseph, Lord Holborne's head guard.
"What do you mean 'if we win', do you Joseph have so little faith in my victory that you would say if?" Lord Stephen asked.
"No sir, I do not. But it seems to me that your daughter is a bit more of a challenge than I had originally thought. She seems to be able to escape whatever harm comes her way. Its as if some kind of spirit watches over her, protecting her from any harm." Joseph replied.
"Well then, you'll just have to work around this particular spirit won't you?" Lord Stephen strode forward. "But I'm warning you, one more failed attempt and I will personally cut your heart out with a spoon and eat it for supper."
"Yes, my lord." Joseph bowed and then exited the room.
Damn that blasted girl to hell!! Since the day she was born she has been nothing but a thorn in my side. Why won't she die for Christ's sake?! Lord Stephen fumed.
A knock on the door stopped Stephen's pacing long enough for him to gather himself and call forth, "Enter!"
When the door opened Stephen was beside himself with lust and greed. The woman that stood before him had been in his bed before and had given him great pleasure. Not only had she helped him rid of his wife, but she had also help him plan the attack against the royal family.
"Surprised to see me again, hey love." The woman breathed slowly as she casually walked her way over to Stephen.
"Lila, I thought that you had been killed. How is this possible?"
"Its quiet simple really, I merely told a small story to a solider who spread word. I knew that if I were still here your sniveling daughter would never leave. But I'm back now and that's all that matters. Besides we have war to win and a land to rule."
"All to true. Although some how I doubt that you're here to guide me in this little tryst of mine."
"You know me all to well Stephen. Actually I've come to give a few tips about how to get rid of your annoying daughter. There are a few things about her that you don't quite know about." Lila spoke calmly as she walked over to Stephen smiling slightly.
"I know that she has her magical capabilities and she can fight well with a sword. Do you care to enlighten me even more?" He asked as he leaned in closer.
"Indeed, I do. Not only has your daughter discovered her powers, but she has also discovered the prince's as well, though he is not so strong yet that he can defeat you, he will be soon enough." She paused as she saw the look of anger upon his face. "Ohh, and one more thing, the only way he can ever fully reach his potential is if your daughter can unlock that power. Fortunately for you however, I managed to gain you some time."
"What do you mean?" Stephen asked slightly confused.
"You see while your daughter lies in bed healing herself from the wound that I myself inflicted, she is unable to help the prince tap into his powers, therefore weakening the royal family's chance at a possible win." She laughed slightly when Stephen still looked lost. "Oh, come now love, I know you're not that daft. Think, the one and only thing that can weaken your daughter is the one and only thing that killed her mother. A small but simple cold that can turn deadly if pushed in the right direction. Even now as we speak she grows weaker. Her power is burning out and soon she will be nothing more than a memory that will become forgotten." Lila laughed before she pulled Stephen into a kiss that was mixed with lust, passion, and greed.
Meanwhile back in the Palace….
The sun had risen to just half past noon, when the prince's four royal guards gathered in the courtyard for a skirmish with the young ladies of the court. For a time they stood in the warm sun waiting for Darien and Serena to arrive.
"Do you think she'll be able to be out of bed today?" Mina asked the group.
"I don't believe so, its almost virtually impossible for a person to be walking steadily after such an injury. However, Serena is a different matter entirely. She does have her magic." Amy answered as the others stared at her with wide eyes. "What? Well my father is a physician I should know these things, right?"
"Yeah, whatever Amy, man some times you creep me out." Raye said from afar.
"And like you don't creep people out with all your gypsy mumbo jumbo?" Jedite asked.
"Watch it creep or your next on my list of curses and hexes." Raye hissed.
As the two argued between each other Serena and Darien were slowly making their way to the courtyard. I should have healed completely by now. I should be walking fine, what's wrong with me? The poison…maybe its one that I have not encountered before. Serena thought as Darien held her steady. Soon after many failed attempts of Serena trying to walk on her own they arrived.
There to greet them was the still fuming Raye and Jedite along with, all the others. All turned to greet the two when they heard them arguing between themselves.
"Darien, I'm fine I can walk by myself alright. Geezzz." Serena huffed.
"I know, but I just want to take extra precautions you never know what will happen." Darien scoffed back.
"Err, fine."
"Well, if it isn't the lovely Miss Serena on her feet and well again, I hope?" Nephlite asked.
"As well as I can be dear friend. So shall we get to it?" She saw nods of agreement all around. "Good, today the eight of you shall practice, while Darien and I concentrate on developing his magical capabilities."
When Serena turned and walked toward a bench Darien fallowed while the others took to partners and began to practice. "Are you ready?" Serena asked as she took a seat.
"I'm not sure, but I am anticipating."
She gave a small smile. "Then sit." She directed and he complied. "Keep your back straight and your feet flat on the ground. Close your eyes, as you breath you're going to inhale for three seconds, hold for three seconds, and exhale for three more seconds. Begin." As soon as the word was heard the others began their sword practice while Serena watched in amusement as Darien tried to breath the right way.
Finally giving up he opened his eyes. "What does this have to do with anything? I mean, why do I have to breath like that or sit like this?" He asked exasperated.
"It has to do with everything. Meditation is the only way you'll be able to handle the power that you have is if you meditate the right way. The way you sit and breath affects this process. I myself had to learn the same thing, only I did it the hard way, I taught myself." Serena paused. Then turning Darien once again, "You must understand that the only way you'll ever have control is if you meditate once a day at the very least." Darien shook his head, "Good now let's try again."
For several minutes the prince tried to gain control of his breathing but Serena could see that he still had trouble concentrating enough to remember to breath right. "I see that you are still having trouble highness. So I guess that we'll have to start from the beginning."
"Why do you make it sound so easy? You make it seem like its natural to breath in slowly and that it's easy to clear your mind. Must I remind you that I am a Prince and I have things that I must worry about?" Darien said exasperated. Running a hand through his hair he stared at Serena.
Concealing a giggle behind her hand she answered, "Yes I understand, but you must relax, to much tension and concentration on anything will give you a headache, especially when working with any type of magic. I promise that meditation will not only help you to control the power that you posses but it will also help you to prepare for any problem in the affairs of state.
Meditation is a way to organize thoughts that seem jumbled and confusing. It's the same with the magic that you hold. Your magic is still raw and new to you, if you cannot control it, it will consume you." Serena paused as she saw that she had finally made her point clear, that she was not going to give up. "Do you know how to read a sheet of music, Highness?" Serena asked.
"Of course I do, I had to learn to play the violin when I was eight. But what has knowing how to read a sheet of music have to do with mediation?"
Serena, even though she was beginning to feel faint continued, she was determined to have the Prince learn to meditate before the day was through. "Because you can read music you know how to keep a tempo. Imagine a tempo that has only three beats instead of four, in this prospective you should be able to attune your breathing with that tempo. If not put your hand at my breast and breathe with me fallow the movement of my chest. Now let's try once again."
Serena reached for Darien's hand, placing it just above her heart, she calmly stated that he begin to breathe with her. She pushed him only a little with her magic, but he soon began to breath with her. After several minutes of this process Serena no longer felt the need to be present during Darien's meditation. Slowly she pulled his away from her, placing his hand in his lap next to the other she stood to leave.
Standing for not but a brief second she began to feel very dizzy and light headed. Leaning slightly against the vine-covered wall next to the bench, she began to breath heavily, only when she gave a short gasp of air did any one realize something was wrong. With a shout from Malachite and a mutter from the others, Darien was shaken form his meditation just in time to catch Serena.
With Serena in his arms he called to Amy to get her father and meet them in Serena's chambers. Bowing slightly Amy then turned and ran for the farthest tower from the castle. "Malachite you and the others please accompany me. I have a feeling that there is danger near by and I wish no more harm come to her." With a nod from Malachite, Darien turned and headed for the castle.
"She's burning up…How can this be…did the arrow cause an infection that…no not the arrow…what do you mean magical poison…no cure…she has to…the poison is draining her magic…only be saved by some one as…I'm as powerful as her…you haven't yet attained the knowledge…I'll do whatever it takes…" Voices from so many surrounded Serena throwing her into confusion. Though she was still very delirious she felt, more than heard the tension from the others around her.
She thrashed and moaned in the bed trying to awake from this slumber that had taken over. "But we must do something. There is no other that can teach me other than Serena, if she dies then the kingdom is doomed and her father wins."
Another moan escaped Serena's lips, "I will fight this…I will not be conquered by my father or that witch Lila…" She moved her head toward Darien as if she knew he was next to her. In the blink of an eye she reached for his hand, gazing at him through hooded eyes she said slowly, in a voice not her own, "I deem you ready for the fights that you must soon face but first, you have to pass one last test…help me."
Darien had not realized that the moment Serena had taken hold of his hand that the room around him seemed to vanish. Instead he stood in field of grass with Serena at his feet. Thunderclouds rolled in the distance and the air sparked with electricity, winds picked up slightly bringing with it the scent of earth after a fresh rain. In the winds he saw the form of a woman he did not recognize begin to take shape.
"This is the moment in which you prove yourself to yourself, where you and only you may deem yourself worthy. Are you ready to face that which you fear most?" The voice came from the woman that had formed in the mist. She stood tall and slender as if she were of elfish decent, her eyes shone as dark as the night sky, yet her hair shone as bright as the sun. She wore a simple white dress that shone bright against the darkening sky.
"Who are you? Where am I and why am I not back at the Palace where I should be?" Darien asked as he kneeled beside Serena.
"I am the Great Mother of all who preside here on Earth. I am what Serena calls the Mother Goddess or Goddess for short. You are here in the realm of spirits." She spread her slender arms wide to indicate all that was around her. "Where I have brought you to save her. She is one of the few mortals that are in my favor. There are those in your world who would take her away from where she is needed most, with you and your kingdom. And though I have the power to bring new born babes to life, I do not have the power stop what has now begun."
"And what has begun? Why must I do this task and why can't a palace healer cure her?" Darien interrupted as he looked into the Goddess' eye for answers.
"She is facing every mortal's greatest fear, Death. A palace healer may be able to help her live, but only for a short while. I can only distract Death for so long, he is as stubborn as she. Death, he wants her and he will fight to get her." The Goddess kneeled beside Serena and looked straight at Darien. "Without your help she will die and your kingdom will be lost forever."
"I have not the power, strength nor the training to take on a force that is part of everyday life. If it is not her time, the why is he after her? You expect me to accomplish something so enormous by myself." Darien asked slightly confused.
"He has been given a choice the purest soul known on this world or the most unholy soul. He prefers evil to good, though he knows that it will cost him greatly." The Goddess paused as she glanced down at Serena's almost still form. "No, you will not face him she will, she must. This is something that she must face on her own. You are to help her when she begins to climb to the top of the dark well. Do you see the darkness that surrounds us now?" Darien nodded silently. "It is Death he is coming for her. As it grows darker he becomes stronger. We have wasted too much time talking. The only one that can save her is someone who cares for her as much as you do, the one that is willing to risk everything to save her, the one that loves her so deeply that he feels his soul would not exist without her. Young prince you are the only one who can help her."
"Use the training that you have had, remember the small things that you know. Meditate to help your powers to become stronger. When the time comes you will know what to do…you are the only one that can help her to pull her head up above the dark well…guard her with your life and love…remember all that you know…" The Goddess slowly disappeared leaving only a small gust of wind behind to prove that she might have been there.
Darien sighed as he gently took hold of Serena's hand. He closed his eyes and began to breath for meditation. In the far off back of his mind he could hear Death laugh at him, but he ignored him. Serena I know that you can't hear my thoughts, but if you can hear me I'm here…I will fight for you until I have spent my last breathe. This I swear.
Darien…I can hear you but how…are you still with me…please Darien answer me…
I wish you could hear my thoughts…there have been so many things that I wanted to share with you, that I should have shared with you.
Darkness nothing but pure and simple darkness surrounded her. She could still see in the far off distance, a small speck of light. Though it dimmed to be almost non-existent sometimes she knew it was there. She knew it was the end of the tunnel through which she could escape what was coming.
She knew it was the Dark God of Death, she could tell by the stenching cold drafts of wind that blew past her small nose. She could feel the cold around her melting through her skin and touching her very bones, she also knew it was Death as he got closer and closer to her.
She tried to speak aloud but no words fell from her lips. It was as if her voice had been taken right out of her throat.
Hehe…trying to talk your out of this won't help one bit…your soul is worth the price that I'll have to pay…It was the coldest and evilest voice Serena could have ever imagined. Just the sound of it made her skin crawl as if it were covered in slime.
And what price must you pay Dark One? For I cannot myself understand why you would want my soul more than anything, let alone be punished for it. The darkness soon became gray light, dark still, yet she could make out shadows that weren't seen before. Further off in the distance she could see rolling hills covered in grass. She knew where she was in the instant that she had been able to see again. She was in the well of death, neither at the bottom nor at the top, she now knew that she still had a chance to live. If only she could out smart the Dark God.
The price I must pay my lovely is more terrible than you could ever imagine. For your soul I would have to feel and live the last moment of life from every soul that I have ever taken, that means thousands upon thousands of deaths, every single one since the beginning of time, and I would suffer all of that just for you. All for your pure, sweet and innocent soul, I like to watch bright souls slowly diminish right before my very eyes. Mmm…oh how sweet that would be, but not only would it be sweet but it will be slow and very painful for you.
The Dark God had come so close now that Serena could smell the rotting flesh that hung from the Dark God's form. She could see the sunken in dull gray eyes and the flesh that stuck in his teeth from his other victims. Still she did not shrink back in fear, instead she stood up off the ground and made herself stand in front of him. I'm not afraid of you nor have I ever been afraid of you. Though you may think that you will have me you have no idea what you in for. I'm willing to take a gander that you haven't been told that I am as stubborn as you and that I am the most powerful mage in all of Ireland.
The Dark God just laughed, Haha…you think I'm going to listen to a lot of pretty words, all you petty humans' say such ridiculous things when you are about to die. You think that this will stop me. Though you may be in my sister's favor, she could do nothing to stop me I am that strong, I have that much more power than she…The Dark God began to make his way over to her slowly raising his arms as if to embrace her. But it was not just an ordinary embrace, it was an embrace that would bring to her slow and agonizing pain, which would eventually lead to death.
No other human had ever dared to fight the Dark God, nor any other God for that matter. But Serena could feel her strength arise from somewhere deep inside her, and from somewhere beyond herself she felt more power than her own flow through her veins. This new foreign power came from the spirit realm just beyond the tunnel, a man stood at the end, his power reaching out toward Serena.
Darien…he's here…his strength will help me to fight…Goddess guide me… The time had come it was fight now and live or surrender and die.
Silver white and emerald green light began to surround Serena…Dark God or not I will fight you until I have breathed my last…
As the Dark God reached out his hand and took hold of Serena's wrist she chanted softly in an ancient language that had not been spoken for centuries…
Back in the palace…
The room grew think with heat as the otherworldly battle had begun. The girls sent silent prayers to the Mother Goddess, while the men paced the room. Darien was slumped against the bed his hand still in Serena's, he became unconscious the moment his hand had met hers.
Silence reigned in the room until Raye began to feel the intenseness of growing magic, "Everyone look, Darien, Serena, they're glowing with power…" A small moan escaped Darien. "The battle has begun."
"And while they fight against a God what are we suppose to do?" Jedite asked hopelessly.
"Pray, just pray it is all that we can do." Amy answered.
Spirit realm
Fire poured through her veins and burned her blood. She felt as though her wrist was on fire, as if her whole being had been set aflame. Her strength seemed to have left her in an instant. I must fight…I will fight…for I will not be defeated by any such a thing as dark and vile as you Dark One. The pain seared through her wrist and into her body and soul, agony filling her with a darkness that she had never known. To scream out in pain would be like telling the Dark God that he had won and she would refuse him no more. But she would not accept defeat, and as he pressed on driving her to her knees she gathered her magic and strength.
Haha…you see I have already won. I told you no mortal could defeat me, even one such as you. Ahh, I can't wait to see you decay into nothingness, your flesh should smell sweet and taste just as good. The Dark God leered at her, breathing heavily onto her face.
As if to prove him wrong, in that moment she began pushing back against the pain that invaded her body, she soon stood again before the Dark God. Her chanting soon went from a whimpering soft to a thunderous roar. Brilliant white light enveloped her casting aside all shadows leaving nothing unlit, including the Dark God himself.
He retracted his claw of a hand to cover his sunken in gray face, How can this be? He asked horrified. The light to intense for him began to burn and sear what little flesh lay upon his bones. This is not possible…this has never happened before when I've taken a mortal soul by force, even one such as yours. Stumbling and fighting to stay in place the Dark God began to crumble and fall to his knees before Serena. No, it can't be…the chosen one died at birth…this can't be…The light still invading him like filling up a shell that never had a soul.
Ahh, Great One but it is happening. You see, though you may have taken the life of the chosen one, you cannot stop the evitable. It was written in the heavens since the beginning of time…you can't stop what is and always has been. Serena's voice was not her own, but the words she spoke were true and clear. She stepped forward and knelt in front of the Dark God, her voice changing and eventually becoming her own. I shall not take from you what has always been yours, but I will curse you still with a penalty that you will never forget. The price that you would have had to pay if you had succeeded in taking my soul will be the price you pay now. To continue you duty to the world, however you will live the last moment of life from every soul from this moment hence. She stood and began to walk to the fields of grass that lay at the opening of the dark well.
The light around her dimmed and finally faded when she reached the top. Darien's hand sat on the edge of the well, she could feel her strength leave her as her feet gave way. Suddenly she felt her hand being pulled and felt her soul soar and land softly in her own body. The spirit realm slowly drifted in to the background leaving only the palace room in which Serena had been first taken to.
A slight stir from Darien and a shift from Serena drew the attention of the others that were around them. Amy ran to Serena's side checking her pulse, while the generals help Darien to a chair near by.
"Her pulse it's back to normal and strong." Amy stated calmly while she took a wet cloth from the basin on the nightstand. Brushing aside a small strand of hair Amy began to whip the sweat from Serena's forehead. "Serena, can you hear me, or any of us?"
"Amy…what's wrong you all act like I was about to die or something." Serena asked as she slowly opened her eyes.
"But you almost did…if it weren't for Darien you might have. Do you remember what happened?" Mina asked quietly as she took a seat at the end of the bed.
"I remember trying to stand in the courtyard and then the darkness that surrounded me…" Memories of what had occurred slowly came back to Serena as she told her tale, and while she spoke the others listened closely. "If Darien hadn't been when I reached the top, I would have died. And then all would have been lost." Silently she turned her head toward Darien. "You are my equal in all, magic, strength, and you have also been blessed by the Mother Goddess. Take nothing for granted and live your life through, don't forget about what has come to pass and what will come to pass. Now, please let me sleep. We have much to do and I need my strength."
All nodded in agreement and slowly one by one they left the room after saying their good-nights and either hugged or kissed Serena until there was only Darien left. He stood next to her wanting to tell her everything about how he felt, but he couldn't bring himself to ruin her peaceful mood. I need to know if she feels the same first. He thought to himself. "Sleep well Serena." He whispered softly, before he turned and left her room quietly closing the door.
---Sorry that this took so long but things have been a little hectic lately…between recovery from a car accident last year to tryin to find a new job, I've had very little time to write anything worth while…thanks for all your support and keep checkin on me you never know when the next one will come out. Peace!!