Note: Unedited version on A03. Edited out M content to keep it T rated.


Chapter Thirty-Five

How The Light Loves The Dark

The hush that fell over the room as Hay-Lin dissipated her magic was heavy. Will wasn't sure what to make of what unfolded before them. That glimpse of the long-forgotten past made her understand better what Phobos went through as a child. Why he was so reluctance to trust even his own sister.

Yet, she now understood Weira's choice as well.

The overwhelming desperation and deep guilt in the queen guided her rather dark decision. And while Will didn't know the bonds of motherhood, she knew countless people who would have done even more to save their child, regardless of the fallout.

That was the problem, though.

They were living the fallout.

Both Phobos and Elyon had to pick up the pieces of what their parents had shattered. With Phobos, it was the damage to his very psyche. Years of pain, neglect, ridicule, and humiliation had hardened his heart and made him only trust himself. Made him not care about the fate and lives of others in even the most basic ways. And with Elyon, she had to win back the trust her mother lost with the people of Metamoor. Had to tirelessly work to make sure all her people were treated as equals and had a fair chance at life.

Will knew the siblings would have very different views of what they had witnessed.

Phobos would see a queen too selfish to listen to even the protest of death itself, as to why it was kinder to let her son go. To blinded by her own wants to realize the pain her son felt wasn't worth her own comfort.

Elyon, though, would see how her father didn't hesitate to offer his soul to make sure she was born safely. Would see a queen who had to make the hard choice to put her own son second to her duties countless time. Until it cost him his young life and she yearned to make her mistake right.

Will looked between the two, expressions worrying on both for drastically different reasons.

Phobos looked amused. As if it was a joke he saw, and not the heartbreaking choices of his own mother and father. Compared to the new queen, who was near tears, face flushed, hand holding Caleb's tight.

Will checked on her friends to see Taranee was quiet. The fire witch no doubt would rush and research what that thing was they saw and keep on trying to help Phobos find an answer to his quest. Taranee then walked to Hay-Lin, rubbing her back, as the air witch was shaking, still looking terrified.

"Hay-Lin?" Taranee called, concerned.

Hay-Lin gripped Taranee's arm and pointed to the seal, eyes wide in fear.

"The pain I feel… it's from there," she forced out. Then added, weakly, "Death is still here."

At her words, black prickly moss grew from the edges of the seal, pulsing with dark magic as it covered the wall in seconds.

"Shit!" Caleb cursed, pulling Elyon back towards the door.

Will, not sure if that thing they saw was something they could fight without all the guardians, as she wasn't confident if it was peaceful or not, dashed towards the door as well.

"Guys, let's get out and regroup, quick," she called, not wanting to risk anything. Phobos, while he was interested in the black moss a bit too much, looked at her and nodded, heading towards the door as she rushed along his side.

Only that voice called out, bone chillingly deep, echoing with the strangled cries of countless gathered souls, "Keeper."

There was a surge of magic around them and Will understood how Weira was forced into submission, as the magic was suffocating.

Will gasped, limbs feeling heavy as they all moved to the door, and there was a rush of pungent air that made her gag. The others around her were thrown forward, out of the tomb, the door closing with black moss sealing it closed. She turned, ready to call on her quintessence, and saw the nameless death had emerged, it's hollow eyes now on her.

"Please…" it wheezed, maw moving slowly. "Just… talk."

If it wasn't for her seeing the creature cry over having to place Phobos' soul into a rotted corpse, she would have blasted away by now.

Will clenched her teeth, able to hear her companion's pounding on the door behind her, calling her name, Phobos' voice louder than the others. The dark magic was now all around her, moss pulsing, affecting their connection. She could feel Taranee try to reach out but was unable to do so.

"Okay, big guy," Will called out, chin high, arms folded. "Then talk. No offense, but I really don't want to stay here too long."

The nameless swayed it's head in understanding, pulling itself out even more than before, letting her see the body was long and cylinder shaped. Too long for her to even guess at the full length.

"You are… Light," it said, many voices stating what they both knew. "Yet…" It looked at the door, expression sad. "You accepted… us. Love us. The piece we had to abandon."

Will deeply frowned at that statement, not liking how it viewed the prince as still a piece of itself. "You mean Phobos? Again, no offense, but he definitely ain't you, big guy."

"No… and yes," it answered, moving closer, smell foul and sharp. "We can never take him again. Made deal. Alone. Forever alone."

"Is that," Will started, finally understanding. "Why he can't die? You can't collect his soul again?"

It roared, sorrow and anger making the room shake.

"Sorry! Sorry! Was greedy! Wanted… wanted our own Light!" It shook it's head, joints cracking from the force. "Now he is lost to us forever, even when he knows our eternal embrace."

It looked at her and pointed one hand. "Keeper… talk. May we talk with…" It stopped, lowering itself like a scared animal as it flattened it's constantly wiggling body. "With Xin Jing?"

The Heart, while quiet through the whole quest, glowed, agreeing.

"Okay," Will said, letting Xin Jing take form.

Nameless was so far out that it was almost at the benches, careful not to crush the small glass coffin. Xin Jing grabbed Will's hand and led her to sit before death, a peppy skip in her step. That close, the smell made her stomach turn, but she held it together as death settled down, nervous and wide eyed as it stared at the little girl in both wonderment and reverence.

"Why?" it wheezed, confused. "Never blessed… before."

Xin Jing smiled, legs swinging, and opened her mouth to speak.

It sounded like music to Will. Breathtaking and beautiful. The purest sound to grace her ears and make her heart sing in return. It made her body light and gave her a sense of power, like she could run forever. Could swim across the ocean and dive into its deepest depths. The memory of her and Phobos under the water, surrounded by curious dragons, flooded her; made her smile and forget death loomed over her.

Xin Jing's voice pulled all her happy memories and thoughts to the surface and let her relive each all at once. Let her heart endlessly dance.

Will felt no doubt about her life and her choices. It had to be right because she was there, with love swelling in her chest, hope in heart, and strength in her hands.

Will's intense high was not shared with the nameless. It flinched, pain making it whimper. The longer Xin Jing talked, the more pain it suffered. Murky crimson blood oozing from it's many ears as it listened to what was forbidden.

"He woke me!" she said simply, smiling up at the monster before them. "And I remembered you. From so many lifetimes." She leaned playfully back, letting her head drop to look at the ceiling, still kicking her feet. "So I wanted to thank you! You made a good chosen!" Xin Jing sat up and grinned at Will, dark eyes full of adoration. "He loves my Will!" She looked back at the nameless. "So he must be good!"

"Understand," it answered as it nodded, one long bony hand reaching out to pet the little goddess on her head. She giggled, closing her eyes at the gentle attention. "Thank you. You are… kinder than Oneide."

With mirth, she said, "My sister is just cranky!"

Nameless let out a long sigh and looked at Will. "You are… a kind Keeper. She has formed so pure. No hate. No fear. Innocence," it praised. "When she fully wakes… please return… we have more to speak."

Will looked at the merry girl, unbothered by death looming above them, looking at Will with no hint of worry. "We'll come back," she said, meaning it. "When she's completely awake and able to understand better. Plus, I'm sure Phobos has questions for you. And I think he's owed some answers after everything he's been through. "

It looked down, shame clear. "Our son," it called, with only two very familiar voices. "Our daughter. Tell them we love them."

Then it receded back into its hole, black moss vanishing as well.

The doors behind them flew open, her companions all rushing in with fearful calls of her name.

"Will!" Hay-Lin yelled, her and Taranee quickly flying to her as she stood from the bench. They landed, grabbing her arms and looking her over for any wounds. "Are you okay?" she asked, looking around the now empty room. "I can't sense it anymore!"

Phobos was not far behind them, the panic on his face easing as their eyes met. He hovered anxiously to the side as her friends blocked his access to her. Elyon and Caleb approached, happy to see she was fine, but still tense.

"Are you alright?" Elyon asked. "Death… called for you? What did it want?"

"I'm okay," she assured all of them, placing her hand on her friend's arms. "It wanted to talk to Xin Jing. And… I think it didn't want you guys in pain from hearing her voice for too long, maybe?" Or maybe it didn't want to face Phobos and Elyon? But that was too depressing to voice at the moment.

"What did it say?" Taranee asked as she picked up the child goddess, who was more agreeable with the other guardians now. Xin Jing was still hurt that the girls tried to hinder her awakening, but now was understanding that it wasn't done with malicious intent.

"It asked about the blessing Xin Jing gave Phobos. Since she's still in, you know, airhead kid phase, she wasn't that helpful. It wants to talk again later, when she is more coherent."

Phobos looked alarmed again, eyeing the seal with disdain. "I am not pleased by the idea of that misshapen thing seeking you out again."

Will, remembering how gently it placed the soul back into the waiting body, and how it carefully petted Xin Jing's tiny head, wasn't as bothered as the others.

"I don't think it will hurt me," she said. "It's… grateful? I think. That Xin Jing is helping you. Since… since your soul can never pass on."

Phobos looked away, a moment of disappointment flashing across his normally harden face. "Ah, that is what I thought this all meant. Not so much immortality, as there is no place for my soul but here. Stuck on this plane. Not welcomed back at Infinity or in the hereafter."

Taranee made a sound that caught Will's attention. She looked away, an idea in her head, but was not voicing it.

"Taranee?" Will questioned, finding it odd she didn't speak up if she thought of something relevant. "Is there something we missed?"

Taraneed looked at Phobos and Elyon and then to Will, like she couldn't speak while seeing their faces.

"Actually, Weira was on the right track." Taranee cleared her throat, still looking nervous as she said what they missed. "Achilles shows Phobos still has a valid claim on Metamoor's Heart. If he connects to its, and becomes a Light, he can pass on to Infinity."

"Oh… dear," Hay-Lin muttered, understanding what that meant. "So, for Phobos to have a natural death one day…" she stopped, looking at Elyon, the queen frozen in the revelation.

"No!" Caleb snapped, furious. "Have you all lost your damn minds? Elyon shall never give her claim to- to him! Have you all forgotten you helped in a war to remove this evil from the throne? Just because he's sharing a bed-"

"Calm down, Caleb," Will firmly cut him off as she raised her hands peacefully, not about to let him use their relationship as a weapon. "No one said that. No one here wants to see Elyon dethroned. Taranee is just telling us… information. Information that we need to know."

Taranee looked away, hugging the nymph to her for comfort.

Phobos, unexpectedly, started laughing, a near hysterical high to his voice. "This is a fascinating day! Seeing death itself and now learning this?" He looked at Elyon, eyes a frozen sea as he asked, "So, my sister. The same sister who has spouted her kindness and virtue. Who claims she only wants to be kind to her only brother. Would you give up your crown so I am not doomed to wander the planet for all eternity, because of the selfish wants of our own mother?" he falsely pleaded, mocking and bitter. Elyon quickly looked away, and he laughed again, hollow. "As I thought. The queens of Metamoor are all the same, I see."

Will wanted to say something, anything, but it wasn't her place.

That didn't stop Caleb as he stepped towards Phobos, eyes wide with anger and disgust. "How can you stand there and act as if we did not witness the same thing? Your mother gave up her soul for you! When she could have rejoined Infinity, she gave herself to that monstrosity. She even let this world fall into chaos because she chose you! Put you above countless lives and her own duty! And you act like she spat in your face and send you to bed without supper! How spoiled and cruel can you be?"

Phobos scoffed, eyes narrowing. "You see her once and you think you understand? Of who she was? Her actions and choices? Why do you think Hay-Lin broke the viewing there? So you all would not have to see the aftermath of her selfish wants. I was stuck in that rotted body, frozen in endless agony. Though, I can help you experience it, rebel leader," he said with promise, voice now dangerously low, eyes showing a bit of that anger that once tore Metamoor apart. "And then you might understand why what she did was not an act of 'motherly love'."

"Okay! Enough!" Will yelled, moving between them and pushing them both back. "We are done here. Elyon, please teleport Caleb out of here. Taranee and Hay-Lin go regroup with the girls and Matt and fill them in."

Will barked her orders while grabbing Phobos' arm and, seeing them all teleport away, did the same with him.


"Why are we here?" Phobos questioned, seeing that they were in the large oak tree above the dragon glass cave. They were on a thick branch midway up, with a clear view of the setting sun.

"Thought you might like a view of nature, you know? That castle is so stuffy sometimes. We need to get out more," she replied, smiling up at him, patting the branch for him to sit on her right.

He did, settling down, resting his weight forward, with his arms on his legs. Will leaned back, the warm breeze tousling her hair and wings, making them shine from the soft movements. She closed her eyes for a long while, letting the sounds of rustling leaves and grass relax her and lift some of the weight from her shoulders.

Opening her eyes, she saw Phobos watching her; own eyes deep and warm in the summer light. He had the ring she gave him in his hand, turning it with nimble fingers.

"I almost summoned Achilles to blast through that accursed door," Phobos admitted with a clench of his jaw and a drop of his head.

She smiled and lightly laughed. "Really glad you didn't. I just got back from Kandrakar and rather not go back again so soon."

Fuck Luba, she thought, glancing up at the sky in annoyance.

Phobos sighed, long and defeated, as his shoulders drooped. "I had faith in you. It was hard… staying confident that the worse was not about to befall you. Trusting… just trusting you."

Will moved, sliding closer to him, and laid her head on his shoulder. "But that's good! You knew I would kick even death's ass, and you even showed restraint!" she joked, but added more earnestly. "I'm proud of you." She took the ring and slipped it back on his finger. "I'm so very proud to call you mine, Phobos." Will laid her head back on his shoulder and grabbed his left hand, kissing it. "I love you. And I promise you won't be left alone. We have decades to find an answer."

He pulled his hand away so he could wrap his arm around her, his lips touching her forehead for a sweet kiss.

"I love you, too," he breathed against her warm skin. "And you amaze me more every day with your goodness and strength. That you faced death and speak of it so kindly."

She giggled, his breath tickling her. "Damn, I can't wait until we leave the honeymoon phase, Phobos. We'll be arguing like an old couple instead of all this sappy sweet talk."

He laughed, chest shaking as he squeezed her to him. "I believe everyone around us would say we already behave as such."

She grinned, pulling back and saying, "Oh, that's just playful banter, sir. Wait until you see me pissed."

Phobos' eyes twinkled as he countered, "That shall be a sight to behold. I can only imagine how electric your fury shall be as it swallows me whole."

Huh.

Will grinned, realizing Xin Jing's mind was focused on her body with Taranee, meaning they were alone.

"Hmm, is that a reminder?" she purred, reaching out to run her hand down his blue summer robe, fingers pulling wantonly at the tied sash. "As I remember someone not letting me finish what I started before."

Will floated up, wings extended, brown eyes excited as his face flushed, understanding her intent as she pulled loose the sash.

"Here?" he questioned, thrown by the suddenness and scope of her desire. She floated down, pulling his robe open, kissing his twitching stomach and licking his belly button as she passed.

"If you get a quickie during dinner, I can have some fun out in nature," she teased, bold and aching to see him crumble in to her touch. "Only fair, right?"

Glancing up, she saw he was breathing harder, eyes wider than normal, skin flushed with more than the wonderful summer heat that now warmed their bones. Yes, that was what she wanted. To make him feel alive. To forget the day and enjoy what pleasures only life could give. What only she could give.

And as the Light of Infinity, there was, in fact, something only she could give him.

"Oooo, I like that look, love," she teased again, able to see his frustration. Stuck sitting on the branch while she floated before him with magic, at her mercy. "You want to grab me right now, right?" she breathed out with a deeper tone to her voice, making a show of pressing roughly up against his leg and slowly licking her lips.

"Throw me down and make me chant your name?" she mused. "But here, in this tree, you just have to sit and relax."

She wanted to hear him call her like she did him. Needy. Desperate. Unhindered. She wanted him to break free of the chains that still gripped him. That made him stop his own smiles and laughter. She wanted him to know the joy of falling into a boneless heap as a lover carried him into paradise.


Back in her room, they had missed dinner.

As no one came looking for them, and given the day they had, Will didn't worry about the social impact of missing just that one. It was clear the High Witch and the prince were a couple, as they were glued together all week. Even sharing public affection like kisses and touches. So who would care if the court gossiped about them missing a formal dinner together?

Phobos was sleeping. Something rare, Will realized, as she couldn't recall seeing him like this before. The day had to be mentally taxing on him, as he didn't stir as she moved from his hold.

She sat back, watching him for a moment. Long pale hair was loose and scattered across the bed. He was on his side, as she was nestled against him moments ago. He finally shifted, moving to his stomach, settling back to sleep.

Our son.

Our daughter.

Tell them we love them.

Will eased back against the headboard, looking up at the bed's canopy.

It was only a matter of time before they had to have a serious talk about what they learned, as her distraction was only temporary. And Will wasn't sure she completely disagreed with what Weira did.

As a Light, Will knew she had to give up her family for her duty. Matt was right. She had no ties to her mother, father, or even her little brother. She had been gone for weeks and barely thought of them. There was no debate that her duties created that rift and it would only grow now that she fell for Phobos, who was tied to Metamoor. Over time, she would spend more and more time here. And unable to tell her family of her magical life, could she even tell them about Phobos? Sure, she could make things up, show pictures and just say he was really into medieval fairs. But what about as she aged and Phobos didn't?

Finding a way to let Phobos' soul pass on could take decades. And while she planned on sticking with him, as she thought she would be a damn fine cougar, how could she explain that to her family?

There was just so much uncertainty that came with being a Light. And having a family and personal life, it was always second. Matt was second. Her family was second.

But Phobos would come first.

She never wanted to end up like Weira, bargaining with death to fix her mistake.

Will looked at the black ring, lit in the late evening light, and felt her heart swell.

He would come first.

And they would free his soul.


Will dressed and left to get some food for when Phobos eventually woke. The kitchen was still cleaning up from dinner and was in the process of salvaging what food was left over. They were happy to make her a tray to take. Some people more than others. She was reminded that the staff was fully infiltrated, and they did not know the Children of Good Fortune's next move.

"Oh, High Witch," a Galhot cook called as she made to leave with her covered food.

Will stopped and looked back at the man, somewhat older than her by a few decades, with a star-struck expression on his face. "The magic demonstration is coming soon. We look forward to your show of power, as a true Light."

Will memorized his face, making a note to tell Miranda, if she took the position offered to her, of him and the others that all nodded, muttering of her in a dreamy tone.

Skin crawling, she mumbled out a thanks and rushed away, head swimming.

Back in her room, she sat at the couch, realizing she had forgotten about the summer's end ball and how it was merged with the magic demonstration the guardians were a part of.

Hopefully, the others planned something, because she did not know what to even do.