Chapter 23

The Good Fight

Kandrakar

Once again, Will and Taranee found themselves the center of attention in the Kandrakar council room. Hundreds of elders filled the rows of seats, and each stared at the two girls in the center. Unlike previous encounters however, neither Will or Taranee were intimidated by the elders. Instead, they stood tall, arms crossed, and glared at each elder in turn. Finally, they turned their attention on Yan Lin, who stood directly in front of them.

"I'm sure you're all aware of what happened on Meridian the other day." Will said, keeping her stern expression locked on her face.

"Yes, we are." Yan Lin replied, head bowed.

"And I'm sure you are also aware of the consequences of that event." Will continued.

"We are." Yan Lin replied.

"Then I'm sure you are also well aware that these events could have been avoided, if Kandrakar had stepped in and intervened." Will said, anger in her voice. "Pretty much anything would have helped! But, since you didn't, two good worlds are at war with each other."

"We are all too aware of what our inaction has brought." Yan Lin said, approaching Will.

Will began to speak again, but stopped herself. She could see in Yan Lin's eyes that she agreed with everything Will was saying, and Will had no interest in creating an enemy out of Yan Lin. She had enough of those as it was.

"So what's the solution?" Taranee said. "How do we stop this from happening?"

"Stop what? The war, or Kandrakar's inactivity?" Yan Lin asked.

"Both. Either." Taranee said. "We just need answers and ideas."

"Solving Kandrakar's problem is simple." Yan Lin said. "We need an Oracle."

"So elect one." Will said. "And make it fast."

"We'd rather recover one."

"Himerish. You want him to be your Oracle." Taranee said.

"On that front, Kandrakar is nearly unanimous." Yan Lin replied. "And I don't think I have to tell you how rare that is."

"Fine. Once we stop this war, we'll make sure we get Himerish back." Will said. "Remind me again how we stop this war?"

"I'm afraid we can't." Yan Lin said.

"Look, I know it seems tough, but there's always a solution." Taranee said.

"No, you don't understand. We physically can't." Yan Lin explained. "Balsilide has every right to go to war with Meridian. There was provocation, which means the war is a just one. We cannot interfere on behalf of Meridian."

"Wait, are you saying we can't fight for Meridian?" Will said.

"That is correct." Yan Lin said with a sigh. "Kandrakar does not play favorites. Just because you are fond of a world, does not allow you to fight their wars for them. If you act, then Kandrakar will be forced to disown you, which includes the removal of your powers."

"What?" Will shouted. "We can't do anything to protect our friends? That's a load of…"

"I'm sorry Will." Yan Lin said. "For this fight, Meridian is on its own."

Meridian

For the majority of the year, the Meridian War Room was left empty. The long wooden table gathered dust, and the ornate wooden chairs were stacked high against the wall. If you were to see the room during any of those days, you might mistake it for an abandoned storeroom. On days when the room was not empty, such as today, it became a hub of energy and activity and housed the greatest minds Meridian had to offer. On days like today, the Meridian War Room was the most important room in the world.

Eylon sat at one end of the table, with Caleb at the other. The rest of the Honor Guard lined the edges, with Aldarn sitting by Elyon's right hand. Several large maps were laid out in front of the nine, with various strategic positions on both Meridian and Balsilide highlighted. The group waited for Elyon to begin, but to their surprise it was Walli who spoke up first.

"If I may," he said, "there is a way to end this war before it even begins."

"Oh? And how is that?" Elyon asked.

"Allow me to give myself to Balsilide." Walli said calmly. "Disown me from the Honor Guard, and disown me from Meridian. Let my actions represent no one but myself, and Balsilide will be forced to leave Meridian at peace."

"You realize what will happen to you." Aldarn said. "You'll be killed, if you're lucky."

"I am aware." Walli said.

Raythor laughed, and the group turned to his direction.

"Walli, take a good look around you." He said. "Everyone at this table has made mistakes in the worse way possible, myself included. You've got regrets? Well get in line. We're nothing but a bunch of misfits and screw-ups, but we're all fighting for the same thing. And we fight together, or not at all."

"Well put." Elyon said. "We appreciate the sentiment Walli, but you're one of us, and you're a Meridianite. That's all that matters."

"Besides," Caleb said, "I'm not sure it would make a difference."

"What does that mean?" Tynar asked.

"Don't tell me no one else has noticed the way Meridian has been treated ever since we started trade talks with Balsilide." Caleb said, a hint of bitterness in his voice. "Rikar and the R.E.G have been spoiling for a fight since day one. Remember how quickly they accused us after Mr. Jantique died?"

"Are you saying they want this war?" Vathek asked.

"I'm saying they would have found a way to start it with or without Walli." Caleb replied.

"But why?" Julian asked. "What do they have to gain from this?"

"Right now that's not important." Elyon said. "Whether they wanted this war or not, they got it. Now how are we going to survive it?"

The group stared at the maps in front of them intently, trying to devise a plan, when they were interrupted by a noise outside. The group turned to the door, listening carefully to the voice of the guard posted outside.

"Stop! You can't go in! There's a…"

Suddenly, the doors burst open and Cornelia walked in, the guard trailing behind her.

"My queen! I'm sorry, I could not stop her." The guard said, quickly bowing.

"It's fine." Elyon said. "I doubt anyone could have."

"Elyon, Caleb and I need to have a discussion. In private." Cornelia said, grabbing Caleb by the arm.

"I…" was all Caleb could manage as he was dragged out, a look of confusion and surprise on his face.

"Cornelia, we are right in the middle of an…" Elyon began, but it was too late. Cornelia and Caleb were gone, and there was nothing she could do about it.

"…Important meeting." Elyon finished weakly.

Raythor looked at Elyon and smiled.

"Do you think Balsilide has these types of problems?"

"Shut up Raythor."

Balsilide

The Balsilide Council Room was a testament to the design and craftsmanship of the Balsilidian people. The desk and table were ornately designed, with complementing patterns and identical golden trims. The painted faces of previous military leaders lined the walls, staring down at the people below. Even though the room was rarely used, it was constantly maintained, and always in exquisite condition. It truly was one of the jewels of Weldrick Palace. Today it was filled to the brim as the R.E.G sitting around the table, with President Rikar at its head.

"I must first commend you on your actions, Balken. You've done your city proud." Rikar said as he sat down.

"Sir?" Balken asked, eyeing his leader strangely.

"Take the complement when it is given, Balken." Rikar replied. "Balsilide would not be in the glorious state it is without your actions."

"I… yes sir. Thank you sir." Balken said, though his emotions did not match his words.

Balken knew that he had done his mission to the fullest, and completed all tasks required of him. Normally that filled him with a sense of pride, but this time there was only a feeling of emptiness. Neither Balken nor Rikar could have predicted Hoth's death, but Hoth had been a friend of Balken, and now he had been sacrificed for the good of the world. Balken was no longer sure how much he was willing to give up.

"Now, on to business." Rikar said. "Balken, our options?"

"Yes sir." Balken said, regaining his composure. "Given our larger military force, we would like to take the offensive and attack Meridian before they can fortify their defenses. Unfortunately, our incursion point is limited to the permanent fold opened between the two worlds. The toughest battle of the war will likely be taking and holding that portal from both sides. If we can establish a base of operation on their side of the fold, the rest of the occupation should be fairly straightforward."

"I believe you are correct in your assessment of the situation." Rikar said. "We must take that fold. In two days time, you and the rest of the R.E.G will lead the entirety of the Balsilian military force to the fold, and you will secure it for Balsilide."

The R.E.G looked up in confused unison.

"Two days time?" Balken said. "It will be difficult to ready that many troops so quickly."

"I think you'll find them already prepared and armed." Rikar said happily. "You have but to lead them."

"With all due respect sir," Grimm began, "why attack so quickly? If we delayed the attack, we could bring in troops from outside the city. Not to mention that Selna could use more time to practice with the Heart. I see no reason to…"

"No reason? I'll give you a reason." Rikar said, leaning forward in his chair. "The Guardians. Is that a good enough reason for you?"

"The Guardians?" Syln said with a laugh. "They can't defend Meridian. We've got provocation, haven't we?"

"Yes," Rikar admitted, "they should not be able to take any action against us. But I will not underestimate their resourcefulness, or their loyalty to Meridian. It is certain that they will try to find a way to help Elyon in anyway possible, and it is quite likely that given enough time, they will succeed. I don't plan on giving them that time."

"As you wish sir." Balken said, lacking some of the confidence usually in his voice. He was to busy thinking about something Grimm had said.

"Sir," Balken continued, " will Selna be in the battle? Will she be fighting?"

"Not that it's any of your concern, but no she won't." Rikar said. "She is fulfilling her role as we speak."

Although no one at the table knew it, they were not the only ones participating in this conversation. Below the War Room, with one small ear pressed to the floor, another listened in. And he was quite interested by what he heard.

Meridian

Cornelia kicked open the doors to Caleb's room and practically threw the boy inside. As soon as he had gained his balance, Caleb spun to face Cornelia, a look of pure confusion on his face.

"What in the world are you doing?" he asked. "We're at war, in case you haven't noticed."

"I don't care." Cornelia said. "All I care about is you, and me."

Caleb sighed and his shoulders slumped.

"Cornelia, we've been over this. It was hard enough the first time." Caleb said. "Besides, didn't you have some boy on Earth?"

"Yeah, I do." Cornelia said. "His name's Timothy. We've been on two dates. And you know what?"

"What?"

"They were both wonderful. Perfect, even. He's charming, handsome, and there were times I'd dream about boys like him. He's everything I could ever hope for."

Caleb gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.

"And you're telling me this because…?" he asked.

"Because even though all of that is true, it's you I can't stop thinking about." Cornelia replied.

Caleb sighed again.

"Cornelia…" he began.

"Don't you 'Cornelia' me!" the Guardian interrupted. "You're going to shut up, and you're going to listen!"

Caleb was taken back by the strength of Cornelia's voice, and meekly closed his mouth.

"Clearly we both have feelings for each other." Cornelia began. "Clearly we both still care about each other deeply."

"Cornelia, I…"

"Shut up."

"Okay."

"There are going to be… issues with any relationship we have." Cornelia said. "We're from different worlds, we're very different people, I get it. But if we still want to make this work…"

Cornelia hesitated for a moment. There was only one thing she couldn't control. Only one thing that could end all of this in an instant.

"You do still want to make this work, right?" Cornelia asked softly.

"More then I've ever wanted anything before." Caleb replied, looking Cornelia in the eyes.

Cornelia's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly composed herself and continued.

"If we were to ever make this work, it would take a lot of hard work and a lot of sacrifices. There would be pain…"

"Incredible pain." Caleb said. "The last talk we had? That was the hardest thing I've ever done. I don't want to do it again. I can't take the pain.

"But there could be joy too." Cornelia said. "The greatest joy I've ever experienced has been with you. And I know that we can make that joy last. It would be tough, but we've faced worse. And I'm willing to fight for that. I don't care about the odds, or the struggle, I'm willing to fight for that joy."

Cornelia stepped forward and held Caleb gently by the shoulders.

"This is it Caleb." Cornelia said. "If I'm wrong, or if I'm just being silly, then I won't ask again. I'll go back to timothy and I'll try to be happy. This is my last shot at this."

"I guess," Caleb said softly, not looking up, "I guess I thought that this would be easier. That if it was going to end anyways, it would be better if it happened quickly. That way we could avoid all the suffering, and all the pain that would come later. But then you made me realize something."

Caleb looked up and both their eyes met, a thousand dreams and fears passing between them.

"You are worth it." He said. "I was a fool not to see it earlier, but you're worth it. I don't know if we can ever make it work between us, I truly don't. But every ounce of pain, every second of suffering, and every unwinnable fight, you're worth all of it. I'll fight for you, and I'll fight for us till the day I die. And whatever we face ahead of us…"

"We'll face it together."

"Together."

The two of them embraced passionately. Minutes passed by, but neither of them cared. Nothing in their worlds was more important then the person in front of them. Hundreds of emotions swirled in their heads, but only one was clearer then the rest. Hope. Hope that they could make it work. It wouldn't be easy, and they both knew what troubles lay ahead, but they would face them. Caleb and Cornelia, Cornelia and Caleb. Some things were just meant to be.