Chapter 15

"A hero is one who knows how to hang on one minute longer."—Novalis

He knew Mornhaven was telling the truth. A month ago, when he'd grabbed her hand behind the stable, he'd felt that hazardous connection to this evil man. Since then, Sevelon had known that she might have to die at his hands.

Regardless of what happened with Mornhaven, she was a mortal and would eventually die. Even knowing this, he had allowed himself to begin to care for this incredible woman. Somehow she had managed to creep into his feelings and take root there. He had allowed himself to become fond of her laugh, to take pleasure in her company, to let her spirit excite him about life. Now on this battlefield, he could only look at her with sorrow. He wanted anything but to do this. She hung there above Mornhaven, feet no longer kicking, face blue and throat strained while she tried to gasp for air.

Aeryc and Aeryon had sent him here for this reason and he knew what was needed. Mornhaven's power was far enough developed, that Sevelon would be required to dismantle the most elemental base of his being, in order to truly end his existence. Speaking the words only understood by creators, he announced, "ALESSANDROS DEL MORNHAVEN." The air around the two people began to swirl and break with energy. He looked one last time at Karigan. Her face was drooping, but her gaze was steady and she nodded her head, telling him to do it.

He had no choice, he had to end this. He brought the full force of his energy up and channeled it to Mornhaven through his ancient words, "YOU ARE NO MORE."

The bolts zoomed in close to Mornhaven. Energy continued to build within and around him, and then when the pressure was too much, everything was released. Sevelon stood, ignoring the maelstrom he'd created. He couldn't look away from Karigan. He watched her body react to the shattering of Mornhaven. All kinds of emotion drained from his mind as Sevelon was forced to watch the person he loved die. He did not have the power to create or maintain life. He only had the power to destroy it.

For the surrounding mortals, this whole procedure would take up less time than an eye blink, but Sevelon had the ability to stand in this moment indefinitely. He would stand here for years and watch the pandemonium. Energy and particles sped out, trying to find a new home. Attaching and breaking infinitesimal connections.

In this moment of chaos, Aeryon appeared.

The goddess confided, "I enjoy moments of remaking." She stood next to her servant, watching the bursts of energy and the random realignment of the immediate space. Such things happened too quick for the mortals to see, they would never know how Mornhaven had imploded. They would never find a body. Breaking up his monotone thoughts, Aeryon glibly continued, "I think you will like your reward." She sounded very pleased with herself and Sevelon knew some intrigue was behind the promised reward. However, he was too empty and numb to feel the reluctance he knew such a statement (especially from this goddess) should conjure.

She knew he would think the worst of her and admitted, "It of course has a double purpose. I've owed Westrion a slip for eons, only I've never had a reason to give it to him until now." With this, she walked into the streaming energy and gathered Karigan. Cradling the woman in her arms, the goddess gave Karigan a tender kiss on the forehead. The resulting spark was as gentle as sunlight filtering through a forest and only lasted a moment.

When she handed Karigan to Sevelon, he was shocked to feel her breathing against his chest. He had not expected this.

Her amusement was bright hot, similar to the suns she watched over. "Westrion will be also be very pleased that his favorite tool is back in commission. When you two are done playing mortal, we'll come collect you." And with a flash of a smile, Aeryon disappeared.

Still shocked at the unpredicted turn of events, he let them re-enter mortal time. The particles began to settle and the humans started shuffling with awareness that something major had just happened.

The woman in his arms croaked, "Sevelon?"

"Yes Karigan?"

"Did you do it?"

He began walking, everyone moving automatically out of his way. Now that his mission was accomplished, he no longer cared that they should see him as a mortal.

"Yes, it is over."

She paused to think and then stated, "I'm not dead." She sounded tired and maybe a little bit confused.

It was too funny and his great bellow of laughter drew even more attention from the surrounding soldiers. Finally he said, "Just be happy the gods favor you."

She wasn't fully alert yet and asked, "Where is everyone?"

"Right here and starring at us. Don't look." Her face turned beat red, but she obediently kept her eyes shut.