Chapter Twelve: Reunion

The strange man led the four Heroes through the mobs of people who were celebrating in the streets. Music was playing, people were tearing the Arena to pieces, dismantling the ornaments of armor and flags and toppling statues. Michael couldn't help but notice that it was almost as dangerous to wade through this mob as it was to compete in the Arena. The four Heroes held hands to keep from being separated, and soon enough the mob began to dwindle near its outskirts. It hadn't yet made its way to the northern part of the inner circle of Westcliff, behind the Arena where a massive house loomed over all others. The man opened the door with his key, and all couldn't help but wonder how he had access to this place.

"What is this place?" Michael asked.

"This is Mayor Wilson's home. But it also houses another very important person," the man said.

"And how did you get a key?" Willow pried.

"I am…was…Wilson's personal assistant. More specifically, I was appointed to tend to his wife. My name is Gregory, and I've been waiting to meet you for about nineteen years," said the man. Michael stopped in his tracks, unwilling to more another step before he got some answers.

"How do you know me? I thought only Mayor Wilson knew who I was," Michael asked cautiously, he dreaded that this might be a trap. Gregory laughed heartily.

"Michael, you misunderstand. Everyone knew your father was a great man. He was the finest blacksmith Westcliff ever had, and you are the spitting image of him. I didn't know your father personally, but I do know your mother," Gregory said cryptically.

"What do you mean 'know'?" Michael asked. Gregory leaned backwards and opened a door at the top of the stairwell, motioning for Michael to enter.

Overwhelmed with feelings of fear confusion and trepidation, Michael stepped up the stairs and through the door where a blinding light greeted him through the window as the sun shined through. Michael shielded his eyes, trying to block the glare and get a better look at a figure he noticed standing in the light. It was like that of an angel, as if the light was not shining on her but coming directly from her. Michael stepped to the side to avoid the shining glare and stepped on a creaky floorboard, causing the woman to turn around and face him in a start. One could tell she was about to shout at Michael for intruding, but the second she laid eyes on him she was paralyzed with shock, as was Michael. Both of them stepped forward to try and get a better look at the other, studying the figure before them as if it was both known and novel to them at the same time.

"Michael?" the woman asked.

"Mother?" Michael responded.

The woman's eyes became teary immediately, she rushed forward and hugged her son as tightly as she could. Michael was still in shock, but he mustered the motor ability to return the hug and clutch her tightly. Both of them cried into the other's shoulder for several minutes, and Willow Speer Shunt and Gregory entered as well to watch the emotional reunion.

"I thought you were dead," both Michael and his mother Joanne said in unison, causing each to giggle. Michael backed up and gazed upon his mother once again, it was exactly as she had appeared in his visions, but one thing didn't add up.

"How did you survive? I thought Wilson killed you when he discovered you gave birth to a Hero," Michael asked.

"No…the thought crossed his mind but when he figured out what had happened he threatened to send out a search party to find you and your father. I begged him not to, and told him I'd give him anything if he sparred your lives. He told me…he told me that if I married him and forsake my husband that he would not give chase," Joanne explained, "but he never came back, and I assumed that he had gone back on his word and sent out his army to kill you and your father anyway. I grew furious, and I refused to speak to him or give him what he desired, so he locked me in this tower until I came to my senses," Joanne became teary eyed once again as all of her history came rushing back to her, "I have been here for fifteen years, and not a day has gone by that I have not thought of you my son."

Joanne hugged her child once again, trying to control her emotions so she could enjoy this moment instead of cry, however Michael was having no better luck.

"Wilson never chased us…but…Peter, my father…he died trying to save me," Michael said, upset he was being forced to relive this vision once again, "he brought me to the Heroes Guild thanks to the guidance and protection of two great Heroes who died fighting to save us, but at the door of the Guild a demon named Skorm finally caught up with us, and he was able to give me to the Guild before diving in front of an attack that saved my life and that of the Guildmaster's." This time his mother backed away with a strange look on her face.

"Michael…How do you know all of this? You were just an infant, and why would a demon be fighting so very hard to kill you? I don't understand," Joanne staggered, trying to make sense of it all. Michael hesitated, wondering if he should let his mother know all the awful things that had happened. He feared rejection from her, and looked back at Willow for guidance. Willow nodded encouragingly and Michael gulped down the frog in his throat, garnering the courage to tell her everything.

"When I was born…an ancient demon named Dalga entered my body and used me as a host to regain its power. That's why I glowed red when I was born, and still do when I use magic. Skorm knew that if I was allowed to live then I would be a threat to his attempt to destroy the world, and so he chased me with his army to try and kill me before I could do any harm. A few weeks ago Skorm tried to kill me again, and when I was indisposed he attacked the Guild one more time. I was able to stop him…and I killed him with the help of the demon inside of me," Michael looked to his mother to try and get a read on whether or not she was frightened, but she looked more shocked and worried for his safety than anything, "After the battle, Dalga started showing me visions of my past. He showed me everything in hopes that I'd return to take revenge on Wilson for chasing my father and I out of town."

Joanne looked on in suspense, unable to speak the words she needed to ask and so did so with her body language. Michael was finding it hard to say himself, and finally the silence was broken.

"Did you…did you kill him?" Joanne asked with a tremble in her tone. Michael bowed his head in acknowledgement, unsheathing the sword to reveal the blood still spattered all over of it.

"I'm so sorry…I didn't know you married him…" Michael admitted, but was cut off when his mother put her hand up.

"Don't you apologize for a single thing. You are my son, and I love you no matter what. You did the right thing, that man was evil and the world is better without him. There is one thing you should know though," Joanne said, reaching for a picture on the counter, "This…this is Guinevere, she is your half-sister." Joanne handed the picture to Michael and he examined it with great interest and surprise.

"When…" Michael asked but he was cut off by his mother.

"Seventeen years ago," Joanne stared, "I tried to make the best of the situation and Mayor Wilson and I had a daughter together. But as I grew to despise the man he trained Guinevere to love and admire him, until even my own daughter grew to hate me. When I was locked away she laughed, and given what has just transpired I fear she will now forever hate you as well."

Michael bowed his head in shame. His failure to consider the consequences of his actions has set into motion the severing of a relationship before it was even given a chance to form.

"Maybe it's best…if she didn't know who I was. Maybe knowing some stranger killed her father would be better than her own flesh and blood, for all of our sakes. If she knew I was your son she might do something unpredictable. I think I should go." Michael said as he turned to leave, but Joanne grabbed him by the shoulder.

"Please…don't go…we can explain things to her, we can make her see! I can't lose my only son again!" Joanne pleaded with Michael, but he grabbed her hand and gently took it in his, moving it from his shoulder.

"You'll never lose me. I won't let that happen. But until a time comes when we can resolve the situation certain that no harm will come to you, then I cannot remain here in Westcliff with you. I belong with my friends at the Heroes Guild." Michael explained comfortingly. Willow approached Michael and wrapped her arms around his waist gently, trying to comfort Michael's mother as best she could.

"We'll take care of him, I promise. Just make sure you take care of yourself now," Willow said in a soothing tone and most of the anxiety left Joanne's face. Joanne covered her mouth as she watched her son leave, trying not to cry. She nodded to Willow's words and bid them farewell. For the first time in almost twenty years, both Joanne and Michael had some answers, and were finally able to move on with their lives.

End Part II