Sorry. I had a rough patch this month with my illness and it made all manner of typing tough – I had to save my dexterity for work and take a break from posting. So, to make up for it, here's all the chapters I've missed.

So, here we go! Enjoy!

Chapter 7: White as a Ghost

Max erupted out of the vision and fell to his knees, heaving for breath.

"Okay, this is a lot less fun now." He coughed, even though he could tell he was still in his head where he shouldn't need to cough. "Seriously, who knew that flashbacks could feel that real?"

The joking was pure reflex — it took another moment for his thoughts to fully marshal themselves into some kind of order.

"Chosen One?"

"Morg!" Max started to stand, assisted by a pale hand that appeared beside him. "How did you...I mean, was that really…?"

"It is the truth." Her eyes were sad, but steady. "Just as my own teacher betrayed me, so did yours."

"Technically, he un-betrayed me, too," Max said. "I mean, obviously he turned against Skullmaster, and he didn't kill me as a baby, so..."

Then Max stopped. Blinked. And glared at her.

"Stop it."

She tipped her head.

"You're doing that thing with my feelings again. Stop it right now."

"I thought you would be distressed by this information."

"Well, I won't know if I'm distressed or not if you keep me from feeling it for myself!" he snapped. "Stop it right this minute, Morgan!"

"Very well."

And Max's grief hit him hard enough to make him double over as if punched.

"He lied to me. He was always lying to me. He and Skullmaster were going to kill me." His breath came fast and panicked. "He didn't tell me any of it, even when he promised!"

Morgan reached over and put an arm across his shoulders, straightening him up and folding him against her shoulder. "I am sorry, Chosen One."

"I trusted him!" Max felt tears start to fall. "He promised no more secrets and I trusted him!"

"But you cannot be so surprised," she said softly. "Skullmaster promised not to harm Virgil at Stonehenge, but killed him in front of you thereafter. The student learns from the teacher, after all. And now you cannot but see that all of Skullmaster's evil was born from Virgil's own teachings."

Max wanted to argue, he really did, but he couldn't. Though he couldn't have reproduced what he'd seen because it faded as quickly as it appeared, he had experienced every lesson Virgil ever gave to Skullmaster, including powers he had seen Skullmaster use in person. He had seen the lessons Virgil gave Skullmaster regarding the Arcana.

"He promised no secrets twice," Max said, breathing a little faster, "and he lied both times."

"I think," and there was far more sympathy in her voice than triumph, "that he cannot help it. It may be his nature, Chosen One. To live in secrecy, and to protect himself from harmful truths even at the cost of others."

"The whole Lemurian thing is like that!" Max shook his head. "They keep secrets and they care about prophecies and how it's all supposed to turn out, and they...nobody thinks about whether or not any of it is a good idea!"

"They are blinded, I fear. So certain of their superiority, their vast intelligence, their mastery, that they believe themselves to be infallible." And old fury crept into her tone. "And we are the ones who must pay for their pride."

Max cried harder, as much because he was angry as because he was hurt. Didn't Virgil care about him at all?

"Not enough," Morgan whispered. "Not enough to treat you with the honor you deserve."

"Did you know?" Max wiped at his nose. "Did you know this the whole time, too?"

"No," she said, and he believed her. "I knew he had betrayed me, but not how badly he had betrayed you as well. Not until I looked into his mind for it."

"Would you have told me, if you'd known?"

"Yes." And she tightened her hold on him. "Without hesitation, Chosen One. For you deserve the truth."

He nodded and let her hold him, miserable and full of doubt. After everything, after Stonehenge, after Mount Ararat, after Toyama — how could Virgil have kept this from him? It wasn't enough to say that he was Skullmaster's teacher once. That was like saying they'd bumped into one another on the street back in the day. Virgil had sworn an oath to Skullmaster to kill Max. Worse, Virgil had been the reason Max was ever the Mighty One in the first place.

Max sucked in a breath as his thoughts tumbled free.

That means Virgil is the reason Maximus died.

He did something with Skullmaster, so when Maximus fought him after Atlantis, he wasn't the Mighty One. He was the first Cap-Bearer, but not the Mighty One. And that's why he died.

Virgil set Maximus up to die.

But he was there, and he told me he tried to save him.

Did he ever tell Maximus that it was his fault?

"No," Morgan said, reading his thoughts easily. "Virgil's guilt made him mute as he has been with you. The first Cap-Bearer died not knowing why he did not possess the power to defeat Skullmaster."

"How...how can he be so wrong about everything?" Max shut his eyes. "He was...he told me he was supposed to teach me how to be a hero."

"He can only teach that which he knows. And what he knows is manipulation and secrecy and arrogance." Morgan rubbed his back. "That you have endured so well with such a viper at your side is only due to your own courage and noble heart."

"He's done good things, too," Max protested, even though he didn't really know why he was bothering to stick up for Virgil right now. "He helped me every time I was in danger. He put himself at risk to try to protect me. He even offered to take the Cap back after Toyama."

"But can you be certain such an offer was meant genuinely? Or was it yet another trick to ensure your compliance and your loyalty?"

"No...no, it can't be that. He wouldn't."

"Chosen One, you now cannot but know that he has done far worse when he believed his cause was just." Suddenly she stiffened. "And still he continues to invoke evil."

With her alarm, Max forced himself to ignore his feelings — and then he could sense it as well, the coldness that had preceded Virgil's use of the shard of the Crystal of Souls from before.

"He's coming back?"

"He is persistent," Morgan said. She released Max from her arms and moved to stand beside him. "Have no fear. He will not harm you further."

Max gulped at the lump in his throat and tried to brace himself. His heart was a mess, but he needed to focus. Now more than ever, he needed his own feelings to be true and clear. What else could he really trust?

"You can trust me, Chosen One."

"I know." And there was a new sorrow in him. "But you have every reason to hate Virgil. Like how Bran hates Norman. And I can't just assume you're right about that. Bran wasn't."

"I am hardly as pigheaded or selfish as Bran."

Max managed to chuckle. "Yeah, you two are going to get along just great if you ever get to meet him for real."

Morgan had no time to reply because the hazy shape of Virgil was emerging from the shadows.

Max shivered. "Okay, still using that evil magic? Not cool, Virg!" he yelled.

"Mighty One!"

As if Max's acknowledgement made it easier for him to reach them, and likely it did, Virgil solidified before them. He seemed momentarily startled to have succeeded in returning, but quickly took a few steps forward.

"Mighty One, whatever Morgan has told you, you must believe that…" But he stopped at the wet and crestfallen expression of the boy before him.

"I have not merely told him," Morgan said, looking down her nose at him. "I showed him. Every thought, every memory. Your time with your student who has become the boy's nightmare. He has witnessed it all through your very eyes."

Virgil drew himself up to hide the shudder that ran through him. "Then, Mighty One, you know that I did not sanction all that Skullmaster did."

"No." Max shook his head. "What I know is that you didn't tell me about any of it. About how I was prophesied to destroy Lemuria, and how you and S'arelmari agreed to kill me. About how you made it so I was the Mighty One instead of Maximus, and he died."

"It is true that I did not tell you." Virgil swallowed. "I wished to protect you."

Morgan snarled. "You wished to defend yourself from pain, from the righteous anger of the Chosen One whose trust you so badly abused!"

"Do not confuse my motivations for those of Merlin!" Virgil shot back. "Whatever he did to you, he did because he believed you were at fault. What I did was meant to protect the Mighty One."

Morgan reared back, offended, but Max spoke first.

"Protect me from what?" Max crossed his arms. "Virg, every time you keep something from me, it just makes everything worse! You know that! And you promised not to do it again!"

Virgil flinched. "I did. You are correct. And I…"

"You are not sorry," Morgan said. "You would do it again. Do not continue to lie to him, not now that I can hear the truth in your very mind."

"I would thank you to stay out of my mind!" Virgil's face contorted in anger. "What I have done is between myself and the Mighty One. You only seek to sow dissent between us, and I will not let you do it! I will not let you hurt him any longer."

"I am not the one hurting him, Virgil," she said. "You are. I only gave him truth."

"Stop." Max took a step forward. "Morg, I know you're trying to protect me, but let him talk." He turned his eyes back to Virgil. "Tell me, then. Tell me you didn't lie to me."

"Mighty One." Virgil sighed, deflating before the accusing eyes of the Cap-Bearer. "You...you have been through so much. I...I didn't want to bring you any further pain."

"And you thought not telling me the truth was better than keeping a promise?"

"I thought that...that I would have more time. I did warn you that the story of Lemuria was difficult for me."

"Yeah, I can see why." Max waved his arms. "You were helping Skullmaster take it over!"

Virgil's eyes widened, then he focused on Morgan. "You did not finish."

She looked away.

Max spun back to Morgan. "He's right — it cut off in the middle. So, how's it end? I'm assuming it's not too pretty."

"Mighty One." Virgil moved closer to his boy. "I know you are hurt. I know I have done you a great disservice and I have caused you to doubt in me." He forced himself to continue around a cold weight in his chest that seemed to steal his very breath. "But I ask you not to put your trust in Morgan le Fay in my stead. Morgan's powers are unstable. She could harm you. Already your body lies unconscious and weak. If she continues to use her magic in your mind, she may do irrevocable damage."

Max's eyebrows went up. "Morg?"

"I have not and will not harm you, Chosen One," she said. "Virgil mistrusts my powers because they show truth and do not answer to him. He denies you your right to your own history and legacy, hiding behind a perceived threat from me. But he should remember that we are in your mind, and it is you who holds the power here. I can do nothing without your assistance."

Max frowned. "I'm not so sure about that. You did almost blow up the living room."

"That was an expenditure of your own energy, merely utilizing my skill as a focus. It was meant to frighten them, to make them feel some small measure of what I have suffered for so long. Nothing more."

"Uh." Max shook his head. "I don't have that kind of power, Morg."

"Of course you do. Energy is energy, Chosen One. I may be able to grant you the ability to shape it, but I cannot call it into being. How else did you believe you worked magic with my instruction?"

"Okay, now I'm really confused, but none of that helps with the problem we have right now." Max planted his hands on his hips. "Morgan le Fay, if I let you show me the rest of Virgil's past, will it hurt me at all or have any lasting impact on me or my body?"

"No," she said. "Other than to impart unto you the knowledge."

"Will it hurt Virgil? You're not, like, sucking stuff out of his brain?"

"I am not."

"Mighty One…" Virgil began.

"I believe her," Max interrupted. "I believe her and I have a right to know, Virg. And if you won't tell me this stuff about my own destiny and the prophecy and Skullmaster, then you need to let her do her thing."

"I...very well." But Virgil looked away. "If you are decided upon this course, then I will not attempt to dissuade you. But...Mighty One. I ask…"

Max could count on both hands how many times in the last few years he had heard Virgil sound so sad, so unsure, so defeated.

"Ask what?"

"Do not...do not judge me for my past actions too harshly until you know all. I deserve your anger for deceiving you. But I...I have changed quite radically in fifteen thousand years, Mighty One. For the sake of all we have experienced together, give me the chance to show you that I have grown, that I am not the one who made such grievous errors in my youth."

"You ask him not to judge you, and yet you judge me," Morgan said. "You are — "

But Max cut her off before she could dig up the insults he felt brewing in her feelings. "She's right about that, Virg. But maybe let's take this one thing at a time. You lied to me. Now I want the whole story. The truth. And then we'll see how I feel about everything else. Okay?"

Virgil nodded, shutting his eyes. "As you wish."

Morgan shook her head. "I believe this to be unnecessary, as your guilt is clear. You are not fit to be the teacher of the Chosen One. But I will obey him in this. Let your own actions speak for themselves, then."

Max thought perhaps he felt Virgil take his hand just as everything vanished and the past rose within him again.

-==OOO==-

Mighty Max's body disappeared from his mindscape as he succumbed to Morgan's power, leaving Virgil grasping nothing.

He looked up into her disdainful face. "Whatever your feelings towards me, Morgan le Fay, we both have an interest in the wellbeing of the Mighty One."

"Do we?" she asked. "I am not yet so certain."

Virgil scowled. "Your anger has blinded you. I am not Merlin. And what he did, he must have done for good reason."

"Whose reason, Virgil?" she shot back. "For what possible good? Or are you threatened as he was, threatened by my power — a power you neither understand nor control?"

"I will admit, Merlin had his own limitations. His refusal to fully accept you based upon the prejudices of his time certainly did not recommend him." Virgil crossed his arms and faced her. "But you did scorn prophecy — constantly."

"How typical." She tossed her head. "You would rather abide by precepts set down thousands of years ago than act to save lives that can be saved. That is cowardice of the highest order."

"Is it?" Virgil raised an eyebrow. "You have seen the Mighty One's memories, have you not?"

"I have."

"Then you know the choice he was forced to make in Toyama."

Even Morgan flinched, the power of Max's remembered pain and trauma written on her face.

"He chose to refuse Skullmaster," Virgil powered on, unwilling to back down even as he spoke about events which haunted him still. "He chose to keep his soul intact rather than surrender it to Skullmaster's Crystal. Even though it cost lives. But that choice saved billions more. It will, ultimately, save the very world."

"And that makes it right?" Morgan yelled. "The scales balance on the number of lives, then? To let one die, or a hundred, is nothing to a billion?"

"In this case, yes."

"Then you, too, care for nothing and no one." She recoiled, then paused, and a dark smile bloomed on her face. "And yet — still you lie. To me as well as yourself."

Virgil swallowed.

"If you will not admit it, at least accept that we both know better. You may speak of prophecy, of the fate of the world outweighing a few lives. But we both know you would trade those billion to save the Chosen One. We both know your heart does not see those numbers so clearly when it is he upon the scale."

To Virgil's surprise, Morgan turned around, putting her back to him.

"You men. You and Merlin and Arthur. All you care for is your own power, your own command over the world, be it armies or kingdoms or fate itself. Arthur subjugated my people and many others, and why? Because Merlin told him he was destined to rule England. Merlin bound me and my power, kept me from my heart's only desire, because of some prophecy."

"I did not tell him to do that," Virgil said carefully. "I would never have asked you to sacrifice — "

"It was no sacrifice! It was slaughter!"

Virgil dared not take a step nearer to her, though he could see that her shoulders were up and her head was down. It was a posture he had seen in the Mighty One, too — when battling sorrow and guilt and loss and the pain that raged within.

"It will not help you to know that all happened as was needed," Virgil said. "But if it is any consolation to you, any at all, she did not die alone."

"I know. But you do not even know her last breath, her words. You cannot give me even that much."

"I cannot." And his heart was heavy. "Not while you remain trapped."

"The Chosen One has vowed to free me," Morgan said. "He has been a friend, better than any I ever knew, save one. He will try, Virgil, and he will succeed. And then I will finally know."

"Yes," Virgil said. "I suppose we both will."

"I can see that Merlin kept secrets even from you," Morgan said, her head rising again, though she did not turn back. "As did your evil pupil. For a being who prides himself on knowing everything, you certainly do prove ignorant when it comes to that which is most critical."

"Sometimes, Morgan, knowledge is too dangerous. Even that which one would wish to possess only for good purposes can lead one to make mistakes. Sometimes it is better to trust something outside oneself."

"Well." She looked over her shoulder at him, grey eyes flashing. "Do not believe that I shall ever trust you. The Chosen One's heart is gravely hurt by your lies, and yet he weighs your words as though they had meaning. I shall not do the same."

"I wouldn't expect you to," Virgil said. "It is my hope that the Mighty One may rightly trust in us both."

"You would not seek to cast me out like a possessing demon?"

Virgil did not let himself smile at her surprise. "No. I do not know precisely why this has come about, but it must be a part of the Mighty One's Destiny, and I am willing to trust in that. But even without destiny, the boy has a keen insight into the hearts of those around him. If he has deemed you a friend, then I must believe he has good reason."

Then Virgil drew a conclusion of his own.

"You have not told him, have you?"

"Told him what?"

"You have laid bare my own failings, but he knows nothing of your own history." Virgil shook his head. "Who is the hypocrite now, Morgan?"

"My past and my pain have nothing to do with the Chosen One," she said, drawing herself up. "Should they become relevant, then I shall reveal all. Until then, there is no reason to expose him to such knowledge. I do not need or want his pity."

"I wonder if that's really true," Virgil said more to himself than her.

-==OOO==-

The day had arrived at last. In the morning, S'arelmari was to be examined by the Elders for the conclusion of his cycle. The pre-dawn sky was dark, but clear of clouds, and the winds over the city were soft and warm.

Areti drew his robes more tightly around himself.

"Afraid, my friend?"

Areti turned and shook his head. "No. Not exactly. But I cannot help but regret all that is to occur. So much fear and disruption could have been avoided."

"But our Elders have betrayed us," S'arelmari said. "And we cannot permit them to destroy Lemuria, to desecrate her Wisdom. We are charged with the protection of our people. We cannot falter now."

"Of course." Areti knew that as well as his student. "If only it had not come to this."

"And yet, that it has can only be Destiny." S'arelmari put a hand on Areti's shoulder. "Have faith, Teacher. You and I were born for greatness, and today is the day we live that promise. By the time night falls, Lemuria's lasting safety will have been ensured, and our names will be inscribed in the Four Thousand Epos as the truest heroes of all time."

"You are right, of course." Areti drew himself up. "Very well. Then let us begin."

Together, they made their way to the library, joined in the streets by others who were trusted members of their force. The library was quiet, few if any scholars studying so late or so early into the day. With his head up proudly, Areti opened Door after Door, Teachers and students following in his wake regardless of their cycles.

It was Areti who led the way through the library to the resting place of the Arcana and lifted it from its pedestal. Holding it in one hand, he turned back to the assembled group.

"What I do, I do for all of Lemuria. For the Krateros is Destined to be our doom. And while that which is written must come to pass, I choose now to put us all upon a path that leads us to where the Krateros will be most vulnerable and easy to defeat. In doing so, I shall preserve our people and all our lives."

Areti turned to the appropriate page and gazed at the symbol of the Moon one last time.

"For Lemuria!" S'arelmari cried out, the others raising their voices as well.

Areti pressed his palm upon the symbol and ignited the Moon power.

"That which is changeable, let it be changed! Let the dark of the Moon fall and its light be delayed!"

The brilliant energy burst from Areti's body and soared upwards, through the vaulted ceiling and into the sky. As it drained away, Areti's legs faltered.

"I have you, my friend." S'arelmari caught Areti and took the Arcana from his shaking hands. "Now there is but one power within the Arcana we need ever fear, and as long as we hold it, we hold the entirety of Lemuria safely in our hands."

"They will be aware of what we have done," Areti said, his voice thin with exertion. "We must move quickly."

"Indeed." S'arelmari gestured to his assembled followers. "Go! The others will already be in position. Ensure that the Elders and the Eldest do not escape us!"

The crowd departed at once.

"I am sorry," Areti said, still leaning on S'arelmari. "I did not expect that the use of the Arcana would leave me so weakened."

"It is understandable. It is a very great power, and you have just rewritten a portion of Destiny with it. That you remain conscious is admirable enough."

"But you cannot linger here." Areti looked up into S'arelmari's dark eyes. "Your strength is needed to ensure our victory. If you continue to coddle me whilst I recover, it can only lead to disaster."

"If you are certain of your own wellbeing, then I shall go and aid our brothers in arms. But I would rather not risk your safety at this juncture. We have much to do, and I will need your help, my Teacher."

"Go," Areti said, putting strength in his words. "Go forth and protect Lemuria. I shall follow you as soon as I can."

S'arelmari carefully eased Areti so that he could sit leaning against the pedestal that had held the Arcana. Tucking the tome safely within his robes, S'arelmari spared an instant to smile at his teacher before he strode away, shoulders up and proud.

Areti sighed. He had never felt so tired and drained before in his life. Even the grief of the Elders' betrayal had not been so violent.

But if this is the price for our lives and the safety of Lemuria, I would gladly pay it a thousand times.

Areti heard a sound suddenly and pushed to look around the pedestal. "S'arelmari?"

But the shape that emerged from shadow was taller even than his student. Areti's eyes widened in alarm.

"Eldest!"

The Eldest's face was cast in shadow, and Areti could only make out the glitter of his eyes reflected by the dim lights of the chamber.

"You...you are too late," Areti said, lifting his beak in defiance. "We know of your nefarious plot to destroy all of Lemuria. Already we have delayed the rise of the Krateros. Even now, our allies are moving against you and the other Elders."

The Eldest regarded him silently.

Areti felt awkward, and raised his voice even further. "Do with me as you will. It is over. You will be cast out, and Lemuria will be preserved. My life is nothing to that cause."

The Eldest said nothing.

"Well?" Areti's nervousness burst out as impatience. "Say something! Or are you too afraid to answer the charges against you?"

Finally the Eldest moved, slowly stepping closer to Areti. The Teacher scrambled to pull himself upright, but his limbs had no strength and he slid back to the floor just as the Eldest reached him.

Areti looked up into the face of the one he had admired for so long, the one who had guided Lemuria since the beginning.

"Tears?" he scoffed. "You are a coward indeed if you cry now that you are found out."

The Eldest bent low over Areti. His face was indeed wet, and his eyes shone with grief.

"Every person has a gift," he said softly, "and in that gift lies their Destiny. For all you have done, I forgive you. What must be, will be."

Before Areti could reply, the Eldest straightened up and exited the chamber.

Areti drew in a breath, and found warmth spreading through him.

Even the Eldest has acknowledged it. We are heroes, and S'arelmari and I have truly done as we were Destined to do. And now Lemuria will be safe for all time and the Krateros can be destroyed!

But the victory felt hollow somehow.