A/N Once again this chapter have progressively taken more time than rest, but that is perhaps that as chapter that might contains most of backstory, I wanted not to miss anything so it took quite a while. Afraid to think how much it will take for next although possibly it will be the last(j/k at least for time part). Ironically outline of this chapter was thought up at very early point of story, although it have met several notable changes. Thanks for all the reviews, and I there better be more of those for this one. Extra big thanks to Nikly () for providing deviant art, with fan art for this story. I really appreciate it, although my pathological laziness prevents from registering there(I still wonder how I manage write here at all) Never though that anyone would bother to spend time drawing for this story so thanks again. Bit longer review on art at the end note. Now for the story.
Chapter 13. Thus I was called the Betrayer.
Bald haired figure donned in white robes, stood just few meters away from Will. While his face was well known to her, his eye's had familiar glow, and his face expression seemed somewhat unnatural, it was not that former guardian hadn't ever questioned his humanity. Still for all the flaws Will saw in this "Oracle" she had always respected him as her superior in any matter that was related to her duties as a guardian. But now with all that happened in past weeks, her new found sight allowed to see that person that stood in front of her was no different from those who were hunting, even more – she somehow knew that she had finally met with the one that were pulling the strings, the spider in the web.
"Who are you!" She angry blurted, as she tried to clear her head of false memories that were forced upon her mere moments ago. As ironic it may sound pale haired guardian knew that her former enemy who's soul's fragment she now kept inside her heart, helped to see through this deception.
"All in due time guardian" Oracle answered as his voice changed from its natural soft sound, to deep and almost echoing voice.
"But first tell me soldier of Kandracar, why did you came here? Do you seek vengeance, or answers? Perhaps I can sate both, or maybe you seek to regain your old life?"
That was not how she imagined this, not like this. Why he was asking such questions? What is his purpose? She slid her eyes upwards towards now black sky, it was unnatural for Kandracar, and reminded her Meridian as it was under Phobos rule – veil. Whatever her opponent wished, she was not free to leave as she see fit, but for her comfort, so was he, it only meant that despite outcome it will end now. Unable to fully gather her thought she repeated her previous question in anger" Who are you?"
"Ah, so you seek answers now. Who am I? Indeed guardian, it seems our introduction have been delayed, but perhaps it would be … somewhat meaningless as I have known you since your first draw your breath, but as for me... I carry no name that would be my own, at least not anymore, such thing lost all purpose for me as there is no one left that would mourn or remember me when I fade from this world. Long ago I was once a mortal like you guardian, but now I am mere shadow of what I was, I am now just a tool of my purpose now, but to fully understand what am I and what do I wish for, you must understand and know origins of this place. Tell me, do you know the origin's of Kandracar?
Will was confused, her enemy talked in riddles at best, and yet it intrigued her, to know what is his purpose to go such length, and what was it in their purpose that ancient agents of Kandracar went to such extremes just to prevent them from existing. And yet his question confused her, Hay Lin's grandmother, told her legend of Kandracars origin, was that what he wished to hear?:"Legend tell's of four dragons that were associated with primal elements and nymph..."
Oracle laughed bitterly :" Was it that they told you, a fairy tale? How long one lie must be told so it becomes the truth or does any lie is accepted once the truth is erased?" He asked rhetorically.
"You tell me you god damn monster, you destroyed my life with your lies, you made me kill my friend, and yet you dare to speak of lies?" Will raged and her hand glowed with sparkling energy.
"Monster? Perhaps, me and my brethren have been called so for millenia. God damn ?– yes, in a more ways than you can imagine Wilhelmina Vandom, but it is true guardian, it was my doing that led you here, but unfortunately it was necessary and I take little pride in whatever I have done in thees past thousand years. Hoverer I assure you now, deception has fulfilled it's purpose, and in a way I owe you this for all the "trouble" I put you through.
"I am not a guardian anymore, you... you" Will riposted, and yet will felt odd sensation in a way he referred to her. Oracle was always formal when he talked to her and rarely used her name, usually calling her keeper or guardian. Now however he named her "Wilhelmina", true it was her name, but it was so rarely used.
Alien voice laughed again bitterly"It was smart move to throw away that power of yours. That move allowed you to shield you from our sight. As powerful Nerissa was, it was something she never could do, and it became her downfall, but do you think that by renouncing your power, you have renounced that you are guardian? You cant renounce something that you are marked with from the birth. As long as Kandracar and your soul exists, you are a guardian, no matter source you take your power from, just as Kadma was guardian even if she thought she had renounced this place."
Will felt puzzled, in a way what he said made some sense, but was it possible that renouncing her guardianship would be impossible. Indeed, she had seen Cornelia try to quit being guardian, only to be brought back in fold with even stronger ties than before. Was they really bound to be guardians with such invisible ties, did Nerissa tried to separate herself from this place only to lead to her downfall? No there must be more to her. As thoughts cycled through her mind she noticed how deep look, her opponent was locking with her eyes.
"But to answer your question, you must understand true nature of this place. Contrary to what may you think this place is merely thousand years old. Prelude to tragedy that this place brought was rather trivial. On a distant world arose a tyrant, not that unlike Phobos. Even I don't know her birth name, but not unlike me she held many titles and names that instilled fear just by mentioning them – she that brings peace, devourer of life, queen of the dead were just some of them. But even so her origins are known to me. She was young priestess in a tribe on her world, idealistic, innocent, wishing for world where wars would be thing of the past. As war raged between tribes, and they faced annihilation, she took up arms and by using life force of her tribe as her own, defeated incoming armies and took their power for herself. But that power came with a terrible price, and by seeing you, you already know what it is, her humanity faded with each life she extinguished and took as her own , her soul became scarred until she was mere husk of herself and her vision to create perfect world became perverted. As tribes in her world fell under her rule, and those who subjugated to her will became her army, she soon understood that her own world is not enough for her ambition. All that was left from naive little girl was a twisted shadow, infused with terrible power and perverted vision, a being she herself would despise just mere months ago"
Will swallowed hard, by a such perspective. She consumed Phoboses energy and already felt herself fighting with it inside. Made her wonder, would she too lose her sanity if she would continue to devour life of the living people. Was that the reason Phobos was so "evil". She noticed how she unwittingly dispersed charge of energy in her hand and felt compelled to listen to what he may say.
Oracle made few steps towards his fallen brother and looked at his bruised body as he continued to speak"Soon whole worlds fell to her armies, that only added to her power and numbers. One by one worlds fell and soon news of her spread ahead of her as refugees fled to the other worlds becoming harbingers of destruction. It was not long until my and your people became endangered by her. Your race have peculiar power, granted by your worlds heart, to see into the possible future. Master of this shell was one of most gifted prophets and he foresaw the fall of our worlds, the world of Meridian and many others. "
As he spoke his voice became less human and now it seemed completely artificial in way he spoke. Mere sight of that sent shivers through guardians spine and what was conflict that took place thousand years ago have to do with her or Cornelia.: "By gathering most talented magicians of those worlds, we siphoned minute amount of power from the Hearts of out worlds creating power that would rival the power of any heart and yet would not be bound by any rules, but those we chose. We chose a place between planes, a black void, place not meant for the living and with our will alone and new found power we forged a new plane of existence. So this place was born."
Will took step backwards out of surprise. Was he amongst those who created this place? But then why this conflict?:"
"As we behold our new found power, we soon found it was volatile and first of us who tried to wield it became instantly consumed by it. It was then decided to split them like a light through prism into five pieces, separating raw elements, and power that was innate to each of our worlds into each vessel, and so aurameres were born. This is the reason your friend can foresee future in her dreams. Five maidens of your kind that believed in a word of god were chosen as first carriers of this power, and so first generation of guardians were born. With their power we launched attack upon one of the worlds that had been under her rule. " He continued to speak as he knelt down to Althor's body and placed hand over him"Our new found... weapon proved to be more effective than we anticipated, and so it became our first victory of many, as we liberated whole world with minimal casualties on our side. As we rallied freed people our ranks grew and we finally launched attack against queen herself. As our armies clashed, they soon obliterated each other leaving only queen herself and guardians alive, unfortunately her power was stronger than we anticipated and the air guardian was first to fall, earth and water guardians soon followed her in death, and it was then, that keeper of the Heart used her life and life of her last living sister to form the first veil and trap her into that world forever. Their lives and that world was cost we paid to free infinity from her."
"Then why are you hating Kandracar, why does Cornelia and me have to pay for it? If you created us, then why you seek to destroy us? We still protect universe from scum like Phobos. Perhaps we even protected your world from him" Will raged as she heard his story. It was nothing like Yan Li was telling her, but still in deep of her heart she felt somewhat proud for sacrifice her predecessors made, if that was true what she just now heard.
"I too believed in that once guardian. As a mortal I was much like you, I fought with my life for safety of my home world, but once you understand that you can attain immortality you come to understand... ,no you wont be able to comprehend that. Our victory against her was short lived, as we understood that we can use that power to elevate ourselves to be gods, but being presented with such choice you come to understand that we are never meant to be that way. Universe tries to keep everything in balance, even if one that called herself queen of the dead or even Phobos would expand their rule, they would eventually fall. Every action creates opposite reaction to balance theses scales, even if my world would fall, eventually so would she and everything would be back to balance. However this power we made, it was not bound to thees rules, and universe would never accept it. It is like sickness in body, that every cell of body fight against. Every war that Kandracar started, was direct result of its own existence, but like heart it cant be removed like some mortal, and us such we face endless cycle of violence in this universe, just because Aurameres exist. It is like incurable disease that sickens everything it touches, and I am just another manifestation of universes will to destroy Kandracar. I have seen you lament for those you have sent to their death, or killed. Then look at me and think what is to be responsible for every soul in universe that died because of Kandracar for thousand of years"
Will stood in silence as she listened what he told – could it be that being agent of Kandracar, she was just fighting consequences Kandracar itself made?
"You lied to us" Althor gasped as he opened his eyes" You told that power is ours"
"I am sorry, but it had to be done, Trias. I release you" Oracle answered and his hand gloved in a red flash extinguishing his glow in his eyes."As you see guardian, even my brothers became unwitting tools in this affair, some came with me for vengeance,other wanted power, but ultimately even they did not knew magnitude of my vision."
Will felt turmoil building inside her, entity that resided inside her noticeably awakened, as her eye glowed and familiar pain overtook her head, and ghostly forms of two men manifested in front of her. Phobos looked at Will and wanted to whisper something, but Will suppressed his voice and he remained silent. The other figure was that of a being that lived inside her, to her mind it looked just like when she saw him days ago- black rain coat, leather gloves and short black hair, clearly posing as some sort of undercover cop or agent.
"Part of council that I led argued that that the Heart have fulfilled it's purpose, and it is too dangerous to be left alone. Master of this shell however believed that it, in our hands can reshape the world itself and eliminate the very possibility of such tyrants as "her". Word by words it was soon clear that there is no peaceful way to resolve this. It didn't not mattered from which world we each came as schism in our midst became apparent. Some of your kind sided with me, and some of my brother believed that they are able to wield Kandracar's power. It doesn't matter who stroke first, but as fight in Kandracar raged many of my former allies fell by my hand, but ultimately I was defeated and I had but no choice, but to flee back to my home world, and thus I was called the betrayer to the Kandracar"
"Don't listen to him guardian, It does not matter who is he, you can take all of power of Kandracar for yourself" Will heard on of figures speak, as she shook her head. She was already starting to enjoy silence from him.
"Silence mortal, you will not interfere" other figure shouted at Phobos and she felt that alien power that resided in her body suppressed his voice, and Meridians prince's apparition fell to his knees chained by reddish energy.
Oracle was still giving deep look in her eyes and as moments passed he spoke:" Interestingly guardian, it seems that there is no ley line that would connect you with any source of power, after you severed yourself from auramere, I was expecting you to seek out power of a heart, be that Meridian or Earth, after all you are too young and ignorant to understand nature and danger of those powers and yet you restrained yourself just because of plea from dieing friend,but in the end it wont make any difference, but still even so you seem to be able to retain sanity after containing so much residue of the soul in you self. "
"Can he read my mind?" She took step backwards as she realized her opponent power.
He laughed, :" I know what you think guardian, I can read that in your eyes and indeed some of my brother posses such ability but I don't posses ability to see in your mind as my brother or your fiery sister could, however I can see your emotions, and that is enough to read you guardian. Such power of mine, is truly cruel irony of fate, as I retain none of those emotions myself anymore. It is rare power even amongst us and it helped in my duties as a protector of my world. You truly are amazing guardian, even without power you managed to defeat three of my brothers and still retain sanity even from such amount of residue of the soul you contain in yourself."
"Ignorant? Danger?"
"Indeed guardian" He answered in devious voice and laughed"Those who chose to wield Hearts of any world by force, sign their own death warrant. One of reasons we created this … abomination of force you wielded, was because it would not be bound by it's rules. In moment you step against Heart, be it Earth's or Meridian's it seeks way to destroy you, if agents it have chosen for delivering it's will, like former Earth guardian or Queen of Meridian fail, it would willingly allow it to be possessed by it's enemy that will lead it's new owner to certain downfall without fail, so fell Nerissa, and so fell rulers of Meridian. Ultimately their power led them to their defeat. Flaws in rules like October 31. of your world is just trap for those who would prey on heart. That is the way universe balances itself out, even if some of us suffer in process, eventually every tyrant who would set his sight on such power would fall be it by it's agents hands or meeting his doom, by wielding heart himself, but enough about that guardian. You cant cease to amaze me,once again you proved me right in choosing you, such power, such spirit, you remind me of her, you even have same eyes"
"Chosen, for what?Her?"
"In due time guardian … Her... yes Sophia, …. Ahh... I see in your eyes that you have already heard that name. A powerful warrior of Kandracar. She was chosen soon after I rebelled against Kandracar. Taken away from her family to be trained as Keeper of the Heart and executor of Kandracar's will. By age of six she already could wield her granted power at nearly its full potential. When she and her sisters were thirteen they were sent to my world where they demanded that I am turned over to Kandracar. In light of my services, elders of my people refused to turn me over and so guardians launched assault to one of our cities. Defense from our greatest warriors lasted for less than an hour, as they stood victorious they used their power to destroy my home city. In last attempt to deny me, Kandracar ordered to create veil over my world so it becomes isolated from rest of infinity. I came to understand that as long as I am in my own world I am threat to it, and so I became exiled from my own world."
Will felt appalled by this revelation. Her predecessors destroyed thousands of innocents to solidify Kandracars rule. Was it true or just another lie.
"Perhaps as you house one of my brothers inside you, you might already know some of it, but as veil prevented me from fleeing, I gathered those who lost everything in their attack and used ritual that shed out mortal bodies leaving just shadows of our former selves instead. Ironically it was ritual designed by enemies that I despised in my years as mortal. Just like for us, their weapon was deception and ability to live in shadow of society. They were able to transcend their inner being into something that we viewed as abomination, it was no longer life that coursed through our veins, but something opposite, ironically the power of quintessence that is perhaps essence of life itself, that you wield is rather effective weapon against it. As we became what we are, we fled to your world and took your kind as hosts, and tried to raise an army of your own people. Because we took refuge in shell's of your kind, taking roots in your world's ancient legends we were called thus by our enemies - demons"
"But the one that lives inside me cannot control me, why torment me if you already have me possessed?" Will asked, as she became curious.
"Ah Lord Ion Geissler, special agent Ion Hoffman. A brother of mine that like me had many names over the ages. Unlike most of my brothers, he followed me because his loved one followed me, I always though it was mistake to take him with me, but apparently no. Interestingly that power we now wielded, was useless against those that were bonded with aurameres. We can control humans,most ironic that even one that considered himself God was not beyond my powers, but unfortunately for us the guardian bodies and mind was impregnable to us, even worse – when you bond with us, you can see our memories and see our very essence. Like you, Sophia carried one of our own in her body as she was able to hunt us down. When she believed that last one of us have died, she took her own life by thrusting auramere itself in her body , consuming her along with my brother. Such were her zeal to uphold the will of Kandracar. If only I had possessed such power as mortal... Ironically, you a mere warrior, are piece in this game that no one can claim"
"But you survived?"
"Indeed so, it was then I understand that, what your kind already realized nearly three thousand years ago. A human warlord who lived nearly three thousand years realized that war can't be won by fighting blindly, even more – he said that the supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. As such I rallied those few who were left and raised our power amongst mortals of your kind. We offered power to those who would follow us, and so we gained power in your world. We were able to see Kandracars actions in your world with the eyes of people that you were sworn to protect. It did not mattered what era it was, as it changed so did our mortal agents. Government, intelligence,... we had eyes everywhere, waiting for moment to strike against Kandracar. As era changed our mortal servants watched every generation of guardians, even yours, though that was not in our interest that your powers become known to your kind. In a way we became your shield to the eyes of your kind, must say you and your sisters were rather careless in holding your secrets hidden" Oracle continued, as several stacks of papers appeared in his hand that her carelessly threw towards Will, as they landed near her. "As era changed, so did Kandracar, warriors like Sophia,even for all her power, alone could not enforce Kandracar's will. They understood that to succeed they need new kind of warriors, ones that are accepted as humans by humans, and so guardians were left to spend their life amongst their own kind, ignorant of their purpose until their time comes, so they retain their humanity.
She quickly leaned down and threw look at them. Five folders that kept papers similar to permanent record back in high school. Quick glance in top folder revealed her photo that looked exactly like one she turned in her college application, with large red letters reading top CIA and "top secret" over them. Another quick glance through her file red:"Wilhelmina Vandom, …. age 18... Subject is believed to posses ability to control high amount of energy of unknown form... It is assumed that energy form subject emits might be sentient..Recommendation to avoid electronic means of surveillance until more knowledge on nature of her power is available... Subject is believed to be central element of group,... believed to be in possession of artifact of unknown nature and origin that is associated with their abilities... Consider subject to be extremely dangerous. Approach with caution."
Another quick glance through other files revealed similar information:" Irma Lair... Subject is believed to be able to manipulate liquids, particularity water... posses limited form of hypnosis or power of suggestion... at least three registered cases of mind manipulation... consider subject to be extremely dangerous, approach with ….. Cornelia Hale... Subject exhibits telekinetic powers... Believed to be closely associated with Elyon Brown who's current location is unknown .. approach with caution... Taranee Cook …. exhibits strong pyrokinetic abilities as well as believed to posses limited form of telepathy ….. Consider subject to be extremely dangerous, approach with caution... Hay Lin... age: 17... Full extent of subjects abilities are unknown... believed to be able to render herself invisible as well as limited form of levitation... Recommendation to use thermal vision devices to monitor subject in future... approach with caution."
"How? How in the hell they knew..." Former guardian stood in disbelief. Sure she had walked on edge, but never noticed anyone watching her,besides she was usually careful not to blurt her guardian business over phone, and yet they were aware of her.
"Surprised guardian?" She heard voice that distracted her from watching her papers." You really shouldn't be, humans of your world always prove to be more resourceful that we expect them to be. They deny magic, and renounce its existence, and yet even without it, they manage to create weapons that are effective and destructive beyond belief. Your kind rationalizes everything, things that cant be touched cant exist in your mind. Those things you hold in your hands have fulfilled its purpose, as have everything else back in your world that we created. Such mortal servants gave us what we though ultimate victory against Kandracr. Before second great war of your world, we deemed that time is right and we allowed mortals to become aware of generation of guardians that came before Nerissa. As they confronted them and they became exposed, master of this shell intervened as expected to conceal his millenia long secret from mortal world, but that became his undoing as for first time in thousand years we finally met, and his body became my host."
Whitley dressed figure slightly snapped his fingers, as documents in Will's hands bursted into blue flames and she dropped them to the ground out of surprise, leaving nothing but ashes in their stead.
"Was everything I did was just controlled by you?" Will demanded in anger and summoned ball of lighting in her hand that she launched against her foe. But as it closed to the target, his body crumbled into dust and he reappeared to the right of Will.
"He teleported,.. under veil?" Will pondered at herself as she couldn't believe that she lost both temper and her enemy evaded her attack with such ease. She understood that her eyes were betraying her to her enemy, as he red her violent intent in them.
"Surprised girl? I have no use for teleportation, in my full glory I could forge planes with my power,I could unmake you,but even now, just like your friend from Meridian, I can warp reality and can will myself to other places in this world even under veil, but it is not yet time for that girl. Indeed, I nested myself in this body long before you were born, but it was not necessary to control his steps. One order here, and there and everything else was played out as I required it. Most ironic of all they, Kandracar defeated Nerissa that strived to expose me, even more, master of this body suspected that there is corruption amongst themselves, but he was too arrogant to look at himself for that, and after Nerissa exposed herself, she cleared any doubts that shadowed me." He continued as he reappeared.
"But, .. but... Nerissa... what did she wanted?"Will tried to regain her thoughts and asked. One was clear, her opponent doesn't want her dead, and at least for now he doesn't mind answering her questions, whatever purpose he had.
"Nerissa, your predecessor. A powerful warrior of Kandracar, though not quit as powerful as you, but what she lacked in natural talent she made up in learning mysteries that her power provided, by your age she already could weave power together as true magicians do. She was meant to take your place, but I underestimated her... Tell me guardian, have you ever thought why heart is wielded by your kind. No doubt you have seen Nerissa create artificial beings wield power of Meridian, but then why Kandracar take risk to entrust power to mortals?
Will stood puzzled. Indeed why her, why humans at all, and what it have to do with Nerissa? Sure she did fine job, but so did Regents of Earth that were not even humans.
Oracle smirked as he understood that Will does not posses an answer."As we created power, it was one of fail safes, that only human can wield it, we were too afraid that entities with no soul would capture it. Yes guardian, you are what you are because you are mortal human. Indeed, your wounds close faster, your body is enhanced by aurameres, so is your mind, so what makes you human? Answer lie in yourself, so deep that your kind often denies it, your soul. One thing that aurameres cant touch and have not altered. You are more than human, and yet human. As Nerissa defected, she scarred her own soul to shield herself from us and unbeknownst to herself she would not be able to wield power of Aurameres ever again. Day that she killed Cassidy, was day she died inside, person we knew as Nerisssa Morgenholt ceased to exist that day, only her shell remained bent on perverted image of her purpose and vengeance."
"You want Kandracar destroyed so badly, then why you drag me in this? You could have allowed Phobos and his goons to do it for you if you could not!"
"Again, you are too young to understand the power we deal with here. Phobos was just a fool, he thought he can destroy everything by crushing it beneath his boots. Break a glass, and it can serve its purpose no more" Oracle said with wave of hand, small wine glass appeared in his hand that he allowed to fall to the ground, that shattered into small shards." But power that you wield is nothing like things that mortals make. Try to destroy a heart, and energy that will be scattered in ether, will eventually find it's way to reform and seek undoing of whoever tried to deny it, Hearts are immortal, they are forever. You can kill its champions, be it guardians, or regents, or even those abominations Nerissa created, you can shatter physical shells that form aurameres, but eventually that power will reform itself and seek new champions to continue its purpose."
"Then why do you persist to fight Kandracar , if you know that Heart of Kandracar is ultimately invincible?"
"So it is, at least apparently so... but unlike heart of Earth or Zambala, Kandracar is created by us, and as such it is neither, nor mortal created and nor it is a true heart. This is where you fit in, a person that is so intimately bound with heart that it can became part of it itself and can sever the ties that bind that power together, thus ultimately erasing heart. This is your fate Wilhelmina Vandom."
"Why did you sent them to kill me if you need me and do really you think I will do your biding just because you asked you... you..." Will could not find appropriate word, she wanted to yell – monster, but deep inside she felt some sympathy for her opponent, but she understood that it is suppressed by her ideals of Kandracar and intense hatred for what he did to her and Cornelia.
"Cornelia was good warrior, but those eyes I now posses shown me that your death was not in your future in that cave, and every other outcome was equally acceptable. Your little reckless rampage delayed your coming here, but it no longer matters. Do you for a moment though, that I would blindly believe that warrior of Kandracar would simply do Kandracars enemie's will? Even if your mind is warded against us, you are still human. Ironically Nerissa, unwittingly played one last card against us by showing you what you can become with lust of power like hers. You saw her as twisted image in a hall of mirrors, and so that aspect of your soul became closed to us. "
Will clenched her teeth, and felt energy gathering at her fingertips.
"I see that your eyes once again flash with that same violent intent. You want to fight me? To kill me, to erase my very existence. Then go ahead guardian, kill me now then, though that wont change fate of you or Kandracar. From that very day I sent earth guardian to kill you, your wish was to kill me, isnt it? What is it child? Are you afraid to harm this shell, a man who made you a mindless slave for some power?" He continued, noticeably provoking Will. Vague outlines of two pairs of spectral bat-like wing appeared behind his back. They quickly became more apparent as features of his face became less human and his skin darkened. His face became thinner and longer with sharp features, and his eye pupil's seemed black like a void. Will instantly recalled short flash of vision she had when she first touched this alien essence. With no doubt creature that stood in front of congregation was him." This is what I looked like a mortal, a form that I have forgotten already. Isn't that eternity when you see yourself and cant even recognize yourself? Now guardian... go ahead... do your duty as guardian, as friend to one that died... "
Several lightning bolts instantly flew out of Will's hands that almost hit target. As she expected, her enemy again crumbled into fine sand and she already expected him to appear behind her, and before he could she already turned around, blasting in front of her, narrowly hitting reappearing figure. However before he was hit she received strong kick in her abdomen that throw her several yards back. Without guardians form she knew that she can't tolerate as heavy injuries even if her human form was heavily altered by both aurameres over time she had bonded with them as well as her newly acquired power. She slowly opened eyes and regained herself from hit. Her opponent was thrown back from his original position as well, as well as notable burns were visible on his black bat like wings that he used to cover his body. He quickly laid them back and slashed his hand against air leaving red stream that materialized as a sword in his hand.
"That's right guardian, give into it, kill him" Familiar voice sounded in her head. Her rage had freed Phoboses essence as it whispered in hear head with renewed power.:" Now get up from the ground and fight"
Phobos was right for once in his life, she had to fight. Again her opponent dissolved into dust and, but former guardian somehow felt his presence before he reappeared to her eyes. No doubt she experienced link that creature inside her provided. Without fail he appeared and lunged his newly formed sword against Will, but she already dodged hit and grabbed his hand discharging jolt of energy into it that forced him to drop sword to the ground. Was it her own skill or memories from people she had absorbed, she was not sure, what mattered for her now was only this fight. But before she could make a second strike she felt that he grabbed her by neck with left hand and the threw her against the wall. She felt alien energy coursing through her that was implanted in her when he touched her. Like at her home where she first encountered her enemies, she felt it draining her energy, moments later Will managed to overcome this assault and tried to stand up. She felt pain in her abdomen, and her head felt like it would split as she noticed several blood drops on the ground that fell from her nose and face.
"Not bad guardian, though one must understand that we both are not in our full glory" Demon like form spoke to Will and opened his burned, right hand that held black jewel. Heart of Kandracar that was on keeper's neck just moments before. He slowly released it leaving it hovering into air.:"It's been a while since I last held it into my hands... , it seem so... lifeless without guardian to bond with."
He slowly leaned down to pick up sword, but before he could reach it was hit with jolt of quintessence, instantly animating sword as it lunged towards it's former owner, leaving slight slash over his upper left wing he used to cover himself from attack. Will was keeping her scarred right hand outstretched, guiding sword as she tried to regain balance from last assault and pick her up from the stone floor. Several arrow like shapes of blue flame flew towards her from her opponent as she narrowly jumped to avoid them, leaving burnt spots in column they hit.
There was no way Will could keep this up for long, she waved her hand, ordering sword to make another slash against her opponent, but before it could touch him, he placed his hand in it's way stopping it dead in air. Moments later it crumbled into dust and disappeared into nothingness much like it appeared. Another set of fiery bolts flew towards keeper as she barely managed to summon wisps that consumed incoming flames. As her power vaned, her rage became apparent with renewed fury, as influence of stolen essence that circled through her veins increased. Much like in her encounter with Taranee, she felt that rational control over her actions fade.
Pale haired guardian regained her breath and released remaining wisps that were circling around her hands in hopes to at least do some harm to her enemy, but as they flew towards him they stopped dead, just feet from him. Will was unsure for how long she can keep it up as well as for exact extent of her enemies power. Moment later demon like figure once again disappeared from her sight and she felt that he will once again try to assault her. She felt familiar energy behind her back and before assailant would have chance to attack Will lunged towards him with one of her daggers she grabbed from her waist. Sparkling blade almost hit her target, but before she could thrust into him, he jumped backwards with unnatural speed avoiding attack. But before he could land, he got hit by several wisps that he could not counter this time, leaving burns on his wings and chest.
"I was already starting to become disappointed in you girl, but seems you are not as reckless as I first thought you were, you did not came unarmed. Those are interesting things, such power... even from here I feel that those weapons were made to kill me and my brethren. I wonder how many of my brethren already met their final death from those things"
"I can tell you will be one of them" Will riposted and slid blade over her palm leaving bleeding wound on her left palm, as both blades became covered in her blood. Like before, as they touched with their mistresses blood, they became agitated and Will could feel her own energy flowing through them. She invoked her powers and threw one of them towards her enemy. Her opponent as before raised hand to stop incoming projectile and unmake it, but it seemed to be nearly unaffected by it's powers. Before it could hit him, he again crumbled into dust and reappeared several yards away, leaving dagger lodged into one of stone columns. Frustrated from her missed chance to kill enemy, Will felt her rage fueled even more as she angrily grabbed other dagger and with fast move cut another wound on her palm leaving crossing mark over her previous wound. It was crackling with energy, resonating power between her and its mistress.
Before her enemy could react she lodged second blade in column, and even from distance of several yards,former guardian could feel exact place of them. She concentrated on her powers and streams of lighting connected both daggers and Will, leaving her opponent in triangle made of lighting like streams. With each passing second she could feel that her power resonates between her and weapons, making residing energy in air visiblle with naked eye. Just a few moments longer and everything that would be trapped inside would simply cease to exists, once energy of such magnitude would be released. Years that Nerissa spent seeking and creating such weapons were not spent in vain, even if she herself had long ago lost her purpose.
"You have won guardian" Demon like figure spoke and clapped his hands. :"But this is not how it ends however"
Rage coursed in will mind as Phoboses essence was undeniably fueling it, she ignored remark from her enemy, until odd symbols appeared on his wings and hands, that glowed with bright light. As they released energy they stored, it seemed like time stopped for everything, but Will and her Opponent. Lighting like streams were stilled in air and seemed lie in some static picture. Everything seemed like a dream. Before she could react she felt grip upon her neck as her opponent deeply looked in her eyes. She tried to muster energy upon her fingertips to blast her opponent, but suddenly she felt her rage vane as already familiar voice and essence of both presences in her mind began to fade. She could hear faint whispers to stop him and not let him do that, as presence that was in her mind faded. Both spectral figures she saw started to fade.
"Goodbye brother, but I need her mind, and it alone "He said as he released Will to the ground. For first time in days she felt free, liberated from voices and presence that tainted her mind and body. Her eye no longer hurted and she no longer could see essence of her enemy. But why did her enemy liberated her, it was still mystery for her. Slowly stilled time started to return to it previous pace and Will tried to regain control on energy barrier she created before she was liberated.
"Why did you, did that?" She demanded without releasing her hold on energy.
"Because there is choices you must make by yourself guardian" he said and picked small green crystal from his pouch."Do you know what that is?"
Will hesitated to answer.
"Of course you do not, that is vessel my ancient enemies kept their own souls and those of their victims. As much as it despises me, I am much like them now, but soon it will not matter. This one hoverer keep's something important to you" He continued and crushed it between his fingers, leaving spectral figure of blond haired woman bellow his outstretched arm hanging like puppet.
Will felt that her heart missed a beat and her mouth became dry from revelation.
"Yes it is her, guardian, it is her final role in this drama. You want your old life back girl? I can offer it... she can live again, you just have to wish for it" he continued to speak to shocked guardian. Lighting like streams slowly dispersed, as Will felt light headed from shock, and fell to her knees.
He laughed a little,:" This is the chink of armor in your soul guardian, inability to accept your own mistakes, and willingness to go any lengths to correct them. You don't have to hurry to answer guardian. I waited for millenia for this, I can wait a little longer as we both know what your choice will be"
TBC
A/N Well as said before, I dont know when I can close this story, also I have idea for another FF that might delay this one somewhat, especially since I haven't though exact way to end it.
Before someone asks, villain is indeed somewhat based on Hylden and Hylden lord from LOK series. In first drafts likeness was even bigger and more one sided in terms of good/evil.
It was pretty hard to write this chapter since I wanted to provide most backstory and motives of given enemy, but such narration seemed unnaturally long so I had to omit several secondary lines that would be told by enemy.
Again will use chance to thank Nikly for fine art she provided. Some comments on it – Really nice that you made her remaining red hair paler in contrast of her healthy form, wounded eye and arm look really good too. Her corrupted form is that of a human girl, so she doesn't really have wings , but those tattered things really fit her degraded image(Originally her hair appearance was somewhat based on wraith from SG:Atlantis and Mika from gungrave). She also is meant to look bit older as for story purpose she is 18, also her element symbol burned on other side of palm would be cool. Other than that it is really cool art, so thanks again.
Ok R&R now and dont be afraid to give criticism if you dislike some aspects of story.