A/N: Well, this is the last chapter. I'm very sorry to see this story go, but I am working on a sequel, and there will be an epilogue. Thanks to all my reviewers that stuck to his story, and I hope to hear from you all soon! Here is Chapter 9, the last chapter of this saga. I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own everything you don't recognize.
A Whole New World: Chapter 9
He hung in that empty black space, where he had been only twice before. He was in human form, that much he knew, and he flexed his hands, never once missing his wings. He waited, knowing that soon he would be called upon, but his thoughts kept wandering to a certain young woman, and he wondered desperately if she was all right.
"Zamir Falcon!" The imperious voice rang out all around him, and the man flinched, recognizing it and resigning himself for what was to come. He bowed low as the tall imperial woman appeared, her dark hair and emerald eyes immediately reminding him of another young lady.
The Goddess' lips twitched in the barest hint of a smile as she read his thoughts. Light flashed, and another god appeared, this one also familiar to the man. He bowed low to the other god, failing to keep a smile from his lips.
"Zamir Falcon," the Goddess said, her voice reminding him of the sound of wings under the sun and the sound of flowers swaying in the wind, "you were turned into a falcon for refusing to worship the gods as is required. If my brother had not intervened," she cast a contemptuous glance at the Trickster, who was surveying the mortal and his sister with a lazy grin, "you would not even be here right now. As it was, you were changed into a falcon and given a new name."
Zamir Falcon—or Kiyoshi Kanoni as his name had been changed to, bowed his head and listened to the Goddess tell him what he already knew. He glanced up as the god finished speaking, but once he felt her gaze upon him, he lowered his head again.
"In choosing to sacrifice yourself for Yasmin and Nara Brandon, both Chosen of the Trickster, you have redeemed yourself." The Goddess announced, and Kiyo looked up, hardly daring to believe what he was hearing.
The Goddess eyed him before turning to her brother. "My brother here has chosen to give you back your human form for the rest of your mortal life." She eyed the Trickster, who merely grinned, and then continued. "He has also decided to give you the power to change into a falcon as you wish." From her tone, it was obvious that she thought the Trickster was being too generous, but Kiyo did not move.
"It is now up to you to choose your life." Kiyo glanced up at that, startled, and as his amber eyes met emerald, he kept the gaze steady, confusion written all over his face.
The Goddess sighed, her sigh saying that she clearly found mortals frusterating, while her brother found them fascinating. "You were once a falconer for a lord in Galla," she told the man, who nodded agreeing.
"It is your choice. Do you wish to go back to your old life, or keep your new one?"
Kiyo was silent for a moment, and then he spoke, bowing low. "Zamir Falcon was who I once was. I have made a name for myself here, and I have fallen in love with an amazing young woman. There is no choice for me." His gaze was hard and determined. "I choose my new name, and my new life." He pronounced slowly, and the two gods nodded.
"You are now Kiyoshi Kanoni," The Goddess announced, "and you will stay here with this mortal. This is your life, and it is what you have chosen." Her green eyes glowed with understanding for a moment, and she murmured, "I bless your love."
In a moment, she was gone. Kiyo turned to the Trickster, expecting a word of advice or a joke, but the Trickster merely winked. With a whispered "Good luck," he was gone, and Kiyo was left alone in the dark empty space. He closed his eyes and spiraled into a deep sleep, elated.
Yasmin jerked awake, her blood pumping as she sat up, sweating. Something was very wrong, and without a thought for herself, she leapt out of bed. Her legs almost gave out, but she forced herself to move. The memories from the night before came rushing back, and she realized she was in her grandmother's house.
She spotted Althea coming out of one of the bedrooms, looking tired and drawn. Althea spotted her granddaughter and smiled, her face clearing.
"You shouldn't be out of bed," she scolded, catching Yasmin by the arm as she approached.
Yasmin shook her head, ignoring the warning. "Where's Ma and Da?" She asked, worry creeping into her voice as her green eyes scanned everything.
"They're fine," Althea soothed, "just tired. Sprout is fine," she reported with a grin, "and downstairs already eating."
"Where's Kiyo?" Yasmin wanted to know, her heart thumping painfully as she wondered if her avian friend was all right.
"He's fine too." Althea assured her, her hazel eyes twinkling as she thought of how the young man had bolted awake a few minutes ago, asking anxiously after Yasmin.
Yasmin heaved a sigh of relief, and relaxed. "And how's Amadahy?" She asked, guessing there would be more good news. It was miracle that they had made it out of that mess alive, she reflected, but then grew worried as her grandmother's face grew shadowed.
"It's not good," Althea confirmed her fears, looking grim. "I'm doing everything I can, dear," she said as Yasmin opened her mouth. "She's been asking for you."
Yasmin nodded, and glanced at the door Althea had just exited. "I'll see her," she decided, slipping into the room.
Althea watched her go, and then murmured softly, "Goddess help her." Her hazel eyes were weary; she loved Amadahy like a second granddaughter, and she knew more than she had let on.
Yasmin entered the lit room, gazing at her friend. Amadahy was on the bed, looking pale and tired, a far cry from the excited girl that had danced with every available man at the ball only a few short months ago. It seemed like forever now. Yasmin perched on the edge of the bed and took the Elemental's hand, her green eyes worried at how her friend looked.
"Yasmin." Amadahy's voice was weak, sounding like the thin trickle of water that poured out of rock during a drought. "You're awake." A small smile creased her face, to be followed by a grimace of pain.
"Dahy?" Yasmin asked, concerned, squeezing her friend's hand. Amadahy's eyes were closed, and her white-blonde hair was silver against the pillow, and her ivory skin was milk white.
Her blue eyes flickered open a moment later, but they were a faded blue, showing how worn she was. "Yasmin," she breathed, "that battle weakened me."
"I know it did," Yasmin said gently, "but you'll get better. You have to."
To her dismay and growing sadness, Amadahy shook her head slowly. "No, Yasmin," she rasped. "I won't get better."
"Don't say that!" Yasmin cried, gripping the cool hand beneath her violently. She cast around for something to say, something to do. "We'll take you to the ocean, get you more water, keep you--"
She was cut off by Amadahy's hand at her lips, hushing her. "Yasmin," the other girl said softly. "The gods willed that this was the way it has to be. I killed Hakan, that's true, but opposing elements must die together, to keep the cycle going, otherwise there is chaos."
As Yasmin opened her mouth to say something, Amadahy rushed on, her voice getting stronger. "I knew what I was doing the moment I went down there to save you," she whispered, her blue eyes never leaving her friend's grief-stricken face.
"I knew I was facing my death, but that it was worth it." She murmured. "It was worth it, because I know I saved you."
Yasmin pressed her friend's hand to her face, feeling the tears course down her cheeks and not caring. "Amadahy…." She whispered, her voice cracking as she felt the pain begin to well within her.
Amadahy's gaze was peaceful, and she smiled as she stared up at her friend. "Yasmin, listen to me." She said firmly, sounding more alive than before. "When you have a daughter, name her for me." She gazed up at her friend. "Please?"
Yasmin nodded and managed a weak smile through her tears. How could she deny her friend this last request? "I will." She promised, her voice ringing through the room.
"Remember me." Amadahy whispered, and then her eyes fluttered shut.
"Amadahy!" Yasmin cried, sobbing now. She leaned over her friend, hoping that she was just sleeping, but the searing pain in her heart told her that her friend was gone. "Amadahy…" Yasmin cried, burying her head in her friend's sheets, wishing she would wake up.
A gentle hand touched her shoulder. Yasmin spun around, her green eyes anguished, but she relaxed as she saw Kiyo. He said nothing, merely opened his arms and enfolded her in his embrace. Yasmin sobbed into his shoulder, and he rocked her in his arms, humming softly to her. He stroked her hair, gently massaging her head as she vented her pain.
In a room on the other side of the hallway, and unaware of the drama that was unfolding, Nara watched her husband, hoping and praying that he would wake up. Her prayers were answered moments later as his green eyes flickered open.
His green eyes were wild into they settled on her, and then he calmed, smiling. Nara climbed into the bed next to him, where she was welcomed with a kiss.
"You're all right?" Shadow asked, his green eyes sharp as he scanned her body. Nara nodded, smiling at him, happy to be back with her husband.
Shadow's face went from joyful to worried in a heartbeat. "Yasmin? Sprout?"
Nara nodded, smiling softly. "Yasmin's awake," she told him, "and Sprout is currently downstairs stuffing himself."
Shadow let out a soft chuckle, but both froze as they heard the low cry omitted from the room across the hall. Nara froze, and then her face crumpled, her blue-black eyes dull.
"Amadahy." She whispered, horrified, and she made to get up from the bed, but Shadow gripped her arm and pulled her back down.
"Don't." He advised, and at her incredulous look, he motioned to the door. "Kiyo is there with her," he whispered, and Nara managed a small smile through her pain. She viewed Amadahy like a second daughter, and she had already lost so much. Did she have to lose the young girl too?
Shadow wiped away the tears that had made their way down her cheeks. "She's be all right." He whispered, pulling her into his arms. "We'll be all right."
"We'll all be all right," Nara clarified, laying a hand on her stomach and giving her husband a secretive smile.
Shadow's green eyes glowed as he pulled his wife in for a sweet kiss. When they parted, he asked, "How long?"
"A month or so." Was Nara's reply. "I just checked with Althea to be sure. I wanted to surprise you." Her gaze dropped, and she toyed with the blanket. "But when you were captured, I was so afraid I was going to lose you, and…"
Shadow pulled her to him, kissing her softly. "I'm right here," he reassured her, "and our child will have both his parents, I promise."
It was strange procession that made their way down to the river the following week. The procession contained five people, including an expensive litter. They continued through the Royal Forest, only stopping when the leader held up her hand. At that signal, the others lowered the litter to the ground, and then stepped back as the woman stepped up.
Yasmin gazed at her surroundings, making sure, and then glanced down at the litter that they had carried through Corus. This was where she had met Amadahy three years before, at this very spot, and it was here where they would hold her funeral.
There, on the litter, lay Amadahy, carefully preserved. Dressed all in black, Yasmin's green eyes were huge in her white face and contrasted her drab garb. Her family and Kiyo stayed at a respectful distance as Yasmin carefully scooped up her friend's body. Amadahy was unusually light, and Yasmin had no problem carrying her to the river's edge.
Kneeling on the grassy bank, Yasmin cradled her friend carefully. Gently, she laid her down in the rushing waters and got to her feet, saying the proper prayers in a low voice. She watched as Amadahy became one with the water, and a slight mist hung over the spot where her body was laid. The mist traveled downriver, and Yasmin watched it until it was out of sight.
She blinked back tears, and the void in her heart was still there. "I will name my daughter after you," she promised fiercely, and the water seemed to twinkle in reply.
Suddenly, the water below her rose up, and Yasmin watched, mouth agape, as it began to take shape. When it was done, a small, blue, glass flame hung suspended in front of her.
Hardly daring to breathe, Yasmin reached out and plucked it gently from the air. The glass flame was cool against her palm, and she gazed at the water that seemed to ripple inside it.
Turning away, she saw that Kiyo was the only one left; her family had already left. She blushed, and Kiyo came forward to take her hand.
"Yasmin," he whispered, and Yasmin lifted her green gaze to his amber one.
"I love you," Kiyo whispered, capturing her lips with his. Her pain lifted slightly, and she responded with the same love.
"I love you too." She murmured to him, her green eyes glowing. She knew that it was he she had been looking for all this time, and she had been blind to fall for Gavin.
A wind picked up, teasing her hair out of its knot, and she closed her eyes, letting it caress her face. And then, through the breeze, she heard her friend's voice, whispering in her ear the last thing she had ever asked.
Remember me.
"I will," Yasmin whispered back to the wind as Kiyo took her hand, smiling softly. "I always will."
A/N: Aw, so sad! That would be the end of this story, but there is an epilogue, and stay tuned for the sequel! I hope you all enjoyed this story as much as I did, and please review!