Flame of Darkness
Chapter 10: Clear Skies
By: Starlight – x
Everyone stopped to listen. The song wound around everything, seeming to echo even in the wide, open space. The army of undead slowed and stopped pressing forward. Quatre stood in front of Ha'derkaath, a spot of bright light in front of Ha'derkaath's darkness. The pseudo death god clamped his hands over his ears. "Stop, stop, STOP."
Quatre did, looking sadly at the god as he did so. "Have you truly forgotten all that was beautiful and worthwhile about life?"
Ha'derkaath didn't reply.
"So you are irredeemable." Quatre closed his eyes and sighed. "Forgive me, but I had to try." Quatre began to sing again. This time his song was different.
"Nooo!' Ha'derkaath had pulled his hands away from his ears. "I will not be beaten so easily." He pointed at Quatre and grated out a spell. Blackness shot from his fingertips and slammed squarely into the singer's chest, knocking him down. Quatre's song faltered as he struggled for breath, but continued. "SHUT UP." Ha'derkaath released another bolt and the song ceased. A triumphant grin began to spread over his face. "I cannot be beaten. I am a god." He looked about him. "Do you hear me Watcher? I AM A GOD!"
"Are you now?"
Ha'derkaath turned at the question and saw Wufei. The dragon stood, a glow surrounding him. "I believe what was spoken beforehand by the one who has seen." Wufei continued. "Now it is your turn to see. Behold, I have Justice, and you will die."
"So you think." Ha'derkaath fixed his gaze on the jewel in the center of Wufei's chest. "I will take the key for myself."
"Try it."
00000
Relena looked around her in surprise. As Quatre sang she could feel the power building in his song. What almost appeared to be small sparkles of light floated around their small group. Curious, Relena reached out a hand, cupping it underneath a sparkle, not quite touching it. She watched as the sparkle floated down, lightly resting on the skin of her palm for a moment before it vanished. Instantly she felt a jolt of power flood through her like a door had been opened. A door she'd never known existed before.
Heero had obviously felt it too, since he jerked around to face her. "What…?"
"I don't know." Relena stared down at her hands turning them over as she looked at first her palms and then the backs. She turned to look at him. "I know what to do." There was wonder in her voice. She held out her hands toward him.
For a moment Heero just stared down at her hands, but then he reached out with his own and grabbed hold of hers. Relena smiled up at him before she closed her eyes and began to softly form words. "Illusion of truth vanish. Truth, prevail."
Heero could feel the power of her magic begin to hang heavily all around them. Overhead light began to pierce the clouds, shooting down like spears. Everywhere the shafts of light landed undead shriveled and burned away into nothing.
Quatre rose from the ground and looked all around him. "It has begun now, and nothing can stop it."
"What has begun?" Duo moved to stand beside his former sword.
"The Holder of Hope cleanses the Key of Truth." Quatre said. "See how the clouds disappear?"
"Yeah." Duo turned to watch Relena. Still clutching Heero tightly by the hand she had begun moving toward Ha'derkaath.
Ha'derkaath noticed her approach as well. "Begone puny elf." He warned. "Lest you be destroyed. "
"Illusion." Relena said calmly. "Your power, your army, even your physical appearance is illusion." She cupped her hand underneath one of the remaining sparkles, brought it close to her face and blew softly.
Ha'derkaath twisted his face up into a look of contempt that faded as his appearance began to blur and then drift away as on a strong wind. "What have you done elf?"
"It is as I told you before. " Relena clutched at Heero for support, her voice strong even though her body trembled with exhaustion. "Truth is unchanging. You could only mask it for a time."
"But… why?" Ha'derkaath clutched his hands, trying to hold onto his essence as it dissipated, leaving him a wrinkled old man standing in front of them all.
"Remember who you were?" Quatre moved forward. "Remember Hallel?"
Ha'derkaath looked at Quatre. "Hallel died a long time ago." He said finally. "I am Ha'derkaath." He pulled something out from beneath his tunic and clutched it in both hands.
Relena gasped. "The Key of Truth."
It was too late. In a rush Ha'derkaath's form was restored and he let out a laugh. "If I am to die, it shall be as Ha'derkaath and no one else." He took a deep breath. "Be warned, I shall not die easily."
Wufei lunged and the fight began again.
"A sword." Duo looked around. "I need a sword."
"You can't." Hilde grabbed his arm. "They'll tear you apart." She nodded to where Ha'derkaath and Wufei fought.
"You don't understand," Duo looked down at her, impatiently shaking her off. "Ha'derkaath's power level is rising fast. He's gaining…. more…. power…." His voice trailed off as he realized what he'd said.
"You can sense it?" Duo still stared at the two locked in combat so Hilde cupped his face with both her hands and drew his attention back to her.
"I can." Duo seemed dazed. His gaze drifted back toward the two fighting. "We need to help him." He said, regaining his urgency.
"No, you don't" A familiar voice spoke up.
"Why not?" Duo whirled around to glare at Agnialla.
The Matriarch seemed unperturbed by his animosity. "Look and tell me if my grandson needs any help." Agnialla gestured at Wufei.
Duo looked back at the silver dragon and sucked in a breath of air. "His power level is rising too."
"Indeed." Agnialla seemed almost amused.
Wufei's entire body was glowing whiter. As Duo stared it seemed as though small cracks had appeared all over the dragon's body.
"What's happening to him?" Sally asked.
"He's transforming." Agnialla smiled.
"Transforming?" Duo glanced at her.
"Ah, I see." Fanr came to stand beside his daughter. "He is becoming a platinum dragon."
"You are correct." Agnialla didn't take her gaze off her grandson. "He is one of the few silvers that can actually manage it, but it requires a great deal of goading. A great deal…" She allowed her voice to trail off and a faraway look appeared in her eyes.
The rest of the group gathered to watch. There was the sound as of glass breaking and the glow from Wufei intensified before fading away to nothing.
"It is done." Agnialla walked forward a few steps and stopped. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath and then spoke, shouting something to Wufei.
In response Wufei turned on Ha'derkaath in a fury.
"What'd she say?" Duo wondered.
"She said that it was time for Justice." Quatre answered him.
"Shouldn't we help him?"
"You can if you want, but I'm not getting in the middle of that." Zechs spoke up. "I'm not a coward, but I'm not stupid either. That dragon's in a battle rage."
"Do not worry human," Agnialla spoke up. "He will not lose."
"Great, I think I'll rest then." Duo sat down abruptly.
"You okay?" Hilde crouched down next to him.
"Just really tired for some reason." Duo stared at Wufei and Ha'derkaath.
"He's winning."
Duo glanced up and watched as Heero lowered Relena to the ground next to him. The elfin princess stared with intensity in her eyes at the battle in front of them. Heero remained standing but Duo noticed the white knuckled grip he kept on his staff. He shook his head silently at his friend's persistent stubbornness.
Suddenly Ha'derkaath let out a cry and the remainder of the clouds faded away along with his form. Wufei's head swung to face the small group and growl rumbled through him. Agnialla began to walk toward him, speaking calmly. Slowly the anger in Wufei's eyes died away and he once again took on his human aspect. Agnialla reached him and spoke quietly. He nodded once and then sagged. Agnialla caught him.
"Is he all right?" Dorothy spoke for the first time since her defeat of Malak.
"He is fine, he's just sleeping." Trowa seemed to appear in their midst, the hawk now perched on his shoulder. "The transformation process takes a lot of energy and to go immediately into a battle rage would've definitely depleted all of his reserves of power."
"I slept for a long time after my own transformation." Agnialla came up and bowed slightly to Trowa. "Many thanks my friend."
"Go in peace Matriarch." Trowa returned.
Agnialla nodded and walked away. Everyone watched as she assumed her dragon form. "Finally," She said, satisfaction in her voice. "I can fly again." With that she rose, carrying her grandson and flew away.
"The Key of Truth." Relena grabbed hold of Heero, using him to pull herself to her feet.
"Relena." Heero steadied her.
"I've got it." Noin approached and offered what appeared to be a dirt encrusted medallion. Relena took it and murmured something softly, blew on the medallion and wiped the dirt away with her hand.
"What's that?" Duo strained to see better. There was a flash of sunlight off the surface of the medallion. "A mirror?"
"Yes." Relena turned the Key of Truth so he was able to see that it. Afterwards she slipped the chain over her head, letting the Key rest around her neck.
"Quatre!"
Everyone turned to see an auburn haired girl embrace the former sword.
"Catherine," Quatre smiled at the enthusiastic greeting.
"You're back to normal again." Catherine pulled back slightly. "I can hardly believe it! Are you all right?"
Quatre nodded. "I'm fine, I can hardly believe it's over now." He turned to look to where Ha'derkaath had stood.
"It was his time to fall." Trowa spoke up. "He could not deny the consequences of his actions forever."
"So who exactly was he?" Dorothy came close. "You said he wasn't a god," She directed her question at Trowa. "Who exactly was he?"
"He was a mortal." Trowa replied.
"He was a man who reached for the stars out of need." Quatre interrupted. "But after he claimed them he became insatiable." He sighed and looked at Trowa.
"He had a legitimate reason for his search for power, but after he had obtained a portion of what he sought he became greedy and gathered power for the sake of having power." Trowa continued. "He corrupted himself."
"I see." Dorothy nodded once and then turned away.
"Where do you go Courtesan?" Fanr asked.
Dorothy paused. "I have fulfilled my oath to my blood sister. Cala's soul can now rest in peace. It is time I returned to the temple of Askar." She took a deep breath and continued quietly. "It will be good to dance again with the rest of my sisters."
"Safe journey to you." Fanr said gently.
Dorothy nodded and left.
Duo had been staring at Quatre. "I understand about Ha'derkaath, but it seems like you have quite a story to tell also."
"Yes, I suppose I do." Quatre looked thoughtful. "I was a friend of Hallel, as Ha'derkaath was originally known. I knew about his quest for power, I even helped him. But then he became obsessed with the power itself. Nothing I said would persuade him to stop. He achieved a type of immortality, setting himself up as a god. I could do nothing to prevent him so I went searching for the other gods."
"Did you find them?" Duo asked interestedly. He sat forward, his elbows resting on his knees, chin in his hands.
"No." Quatre sent a quick look toward Trowa. "But I did find the Watcher and Catherine. They, or rather I should say Catherine, introduced me to one who could help me. I was given the option of being able to stop my friend. But I was a mortal, the only way I could live long enough was to be bound within an object." He turned away from them all, staring off into endless blue sky. "I made my choice and became Song of the Warrior for a season. When I was not being used I slept. Catherine met with me whenever I was awake as she came into her own power not long after I was bound."
"Her own power?" Hilde looked at Catherine.
"Don't you recognize me?" Catherine smiled and shifted briefly into a hawk, then into her original form. "I am the Watcher's eyes."
"You're the hawk who was following us." Hilde grinned suddenly.
"Yes I was." Catherine returned the elf girl's smile.
"I have witnessed all I needed to." Trowa spoke up suddenly. "You have all done well." He turned to Quatre. "My friend, it is good to see you restored."
"It has been an honor to have met you." Relena spoke from her seat on the grass.
Trowa allowed an enigmatic smile to cross his face. "You will make the next span of time fascinating." He let his gaze drift over the entire group. "I will be most interested to see how you spend the rest of your days." He looked at each one of them again, nodded to Quatre and shimmered out of existence.
"I have to go too." Catherine looked at Quatre. "Don't be too long in visiting us."
"I won't." Quatre promised. Catherine flashed another dazzling smile, transformed and flew away.
Sally approached Duo. "You said you had your powers back. Do you mind if I…?"
"No, go ahead."
Sally touched Duo carefully. After a moment she sat back. "I don't know how or why but your powers are definitely back. Nothing seems wrong with you now."
"I'm just glad they're back." Duo shrugged. "Hey," He turned to Heero and Relena. "What about that lifebond between you two?"
"It's still here." Heero said shortly.
"I don't understand." Duo frowned. "Ha'derkaath is gone. The threat is over. Why don't the gods dissolve the life…"
"They didn't create the lifebond." Heero interrupted him.
There was silence as everyone turned to stared at the mage.
"Wh-what?" Relena finally spoke. "What do you mean?"
"If the gods didn't create the lifebond, who did?" Zechs demanded.
Heero was silent for a moment. "She did." He pointed at Relena.
Duo was the first to speak. "I don't get it." He shook his head. "How could she create the lifebond? She wasn't even aware of it."
"That's because it wasn't consciously done." Heero shifted his weight before finally sitting down. "It happened the very first time we met." He glanced at Relena. "When our magic's met somehow the lifebond was formed."
"How can you be sure?" Noin asked.
"I've been thinking back to when I first felt the lifebond. There was such a strong sense of Relena that I didn't realize at first that it was encompassing the lifebond not just flowing through the lifebond."
"I never realized…" Relena began, sounding stunned.
"Like I said, it wasn't intentionally done." Heero closed his eyes, apparently done discussing the subject. Unfortunately no one else seemed ready to let it close.
"If she made it," Hilde glanced at Relena. "Maybe she can undo it?"
"I don't know how." Relena protested. "I didn't even know I created it."
"Couldn't Fanr show you how to break it?" Duo asked.
All eyes turned to the healer. He reached up and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I might." He said slowly.
"Yes, it couldn't hurt anything." Sally agreed. She reached out and touched her father's hand.
"Very well." Fanr moved over next to Relena and held out his hand. "My lady."
Relena looked at Heero who stared back impassively before tentatively placing her hand in Fanr's.
"Close your eyes Princess and I'll show you how to sever a lifebond." Fanr said in a soothing tone.
Relena seemed uncertain. "I don't know…" She cast another look toward Heero.
"Don't bother Healer." Heero finally said. "Now, not even she could break the lifebond between us."
Fanr raised an eyebrow. "You're sure?"
"Yes," Relena pulled her hand back. "He's right." Her voice trembled slightly and she steadied it as she continued. "I don't know what happened but it almost feels like the lifebond has taken on a life of it's own." She reached up to clutch the Key of Truth as she stared down at the ground.
Fanr stared at both of them before clearing his throat and reaching out cautiously. "Allow me?"
"Go ahead." Relena gave a whispered consent.
It didn't take Fanr long to realize that the bonded couple were correct in their beliefs. He sat back and shook his head. "Never in my life have I ever come across something as unusual as the thread connecting both of you." He smiled then and rose. "There is nothing more I can do here." He turned to face the wide open space around them. "But there is always work for a healer somewhere, doubly so for a Life Caller." He smiled fondly at his daughter.
Sally rose to stand next to him, serenity in her face. "Yes." She agreed.
For a moment silence descended on the entire group. Finally Relena lifted her head, staring up at the sky. "Such a beautiful blue." She murmured. A smile eased its way over her face. "It's over now." She looked around, catching the gaze of each of group. "It's over."
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A/N: Sorry about how long it took to get this chapter out. I'm not exaggerating when I say this was the most difficult chapter I had to write for this story. There was never any "Inspiration." Instead I wrote this struggling with each sentence and word. I hope you all enjoy it. There will be an epilogue which should be done soon, so hang on just a little bit longer. I want to thank all the readers and reviewers who stuck by me for this entire story. A special big thank you to Redlion2. Girl, your reviews helped more then you can ever know. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. To all the rest of you, thanks. It's always nice to know my writing is appreciated by someone.