Shining so Bright
Chapter 5: The Witch.
Maian saw the tower through the thick mist, it reached for the sky and the large dome on the top was surrounded by clouds. The four walked closer to the large gate with stone statues on either side. They did not speak, Maian held his sword tight with one hand while Ichael klinged to the other. The two women had closed their fists but no where around them where any sign of threath.
"She expects us." Ichael said as they were within steps of the gate. "She wants to meet us." Inside the tower there were only a staircase the led endlessly uppwards and they began to scale it with Maian and Ichael in front. There were no noise except for that of their steps but they all felt as if being watched.
Maian felt Ichael's sweaty palm against his own, felt how it granted him calm and courage. He enjoyed it deeply, wanted to tell Icheal but knew that now was not the moment. He looked into the darkness before them and from above saw no light, he increased the grip of his sword and as he did Ichael increased the grip of his hand. He could not see Icheal's face throught the darkness but guessed that he smiled, Maian did so himself.
There was light above. Porcena had first to notice and her words had reinvigorated the entire group and more powerful they continued upward to see the light grow into a doorway and from inside came the noise of sparking fires.
They entered into the warm chamber, saw a woman sit behind a tall table with a cat in her lap and before her stood a single unlit candle. Her skin was a shade of chestnut, her face looked as if carved from smooth stone and she wore a long red dress and behind her roared a fire inside a gargoyls mouth. "Welcome." She said and patted the cat slowly. "Has my stairs tired you?" She smiled as the four stopped before her tense in both body and mind.
"Kour?" Maian said influenced by the strenght of Icheal.
The woman nodded at him and inhaled. "Yes. That is me." Her smile faded as the cat looked on the visitors. "May I ask why you have come here?"
"Did you kidnap Lady Ifreit?" Maian continued, regarded the woman who smiled once more then nodded.
"I did. Great Devil Mottla bid me and I obeyed." She began scratching the cats neck. "She is in his posession now, I sent Lord Ifreit there too." She looked at the few before her. "Do you wish to follow him?"
Icheal took a step forward. "What do you know about the schemes of the Great Devils?"
The witch regarded the boy peculiarly. "The devils are once more at war, Darb Zhal and Mottla turned against Addre. I do not know of their true intentions but it has something to do with the old devil kings." She inhaled deeply and released Icheal from her gaze. "But what do you hope to do?" She raised her eyebrows and her deep eyes caught them all. "A pack of kids." She recieved no reply and continued. "There is nothing you can do. You do not possess the strenght, but I have the remedy for that." She mused deeply as she began patting the cat again. "But that will cost you." She rose to her full and towering length and placed the cat on the table. "My little cat here came running to me when she realised that Darb Zhal was in the city, that was at the same time that I stole the princess. He is plotting against Mottla as we speak, I need you to kill him."
Maian released his tongue from the grip of silence. "What is this remedy?"
She looked at him, smiled and showed her teeth. "Power." She said shortly and walked to him. "A ancient power opposite that of mine that has been sealed below earth for ages."
Maian could feel her power touch him and held Ichael's hand stronger feeling a foundation of strenght to lean upon.
"The Shining Force." Kour said and dug her eyes deep into Maian.
He nodded stongly. "In return for this power we will deal with Darb Zhal." He looked around atthree agreeing faces. "We promise that."
"Words." The witch said and leaned down towards Maian. "Are you willing to make a pact with me?" She inhaled his insecurity. "If you fail to kill him, I will own your soul."
Now the women behind him raised their voice. "Don't do it."
The witch said and stretched back to her full lenght. "You decide boy, this pact will be only between you and me."
"I will make this pact with you." Maian said each word heavy and behind him the women cursed. Icheal did not react.
"Good, give me your hands." Kour said and he released Icheal and brought the hand to hers. She held them strongly and began chanting in a unknown tongue. Magic began to rush between them and in a moment it was over and she released the boy. "I have hope in you." She said and turned back towards the cat. "Moskau will show you the way." She said and the fire that had lit the room died and left them all in darkness a moment before the lone candle was lit by magic. The woman did not remain in the room but was instead projected as a shadow onto the wall from where she put out the candle and none saw her smile.
Shining so Bright - Chapter 5 end.
Shining Force I, II and Shining in the Darkness is the property of Climax Entertainment, Sonic! Software Planning and Sega. Scenario is the property of Peder Andersson. Revision: 1. Responsible publisher: Peder Andersson. E-mail: .