Connie paced the floor of her bedroom, holding her mobile phone to her ear. She'd been trying to contact Jane for hours, but so far had only gotten through to her voicemail. Today was the day she was supposed to face Col, and she needed an excuse as to why she wouldn't be home in the evening. Since Aneena was away for the weekend, Jane was her only hope. With less than a week to go before Christmas, though…
"Hello?" Jane's voice crackled through. Ah, finally!
"Hi Jane, it's Connie. How are you?"
"Oh hi Connie!" Jane answered. "I'm great. Are you having a fun holiday as well?"
"Just wonderful," Connie lied. She couldn't wait for all this to be over. "Look, I'm really sorry to bother you, but I have a massive favour to ask."
"Really?" Connie could picture her friend's piqued expression. "Go on, then, spill."
"I'm…I'm meeting Col later today, but I don't want my aunt or Mack to find out," Connie said. Well, she wasn't exactly telling a lie. "I'm going to tell them I'll be staying at yours tonight, so if they ring, can you play along?"
"So, is the relationship moving to the next level already?" Jane asked. Her voice turned serious. "You'd better be careful, Connie, you've got a few months before you turn sixteen."
"Jane, it's not like that!" Connie snapped. "I'm not meeting him for…you know…"
"Methinks the woman doth protest too much," Jane teased. "Are you nervous? How much have you planned it out? Has he got protection?"
Connie rolled her eyes. Jane was so getting the wrong idea. However, as embarrassing as it sounded, it was also a great excuse to explain why she needed such privacy.
"We've, er, talked about it for a while," Connie said, deciding to play along. "Look, I can't talk for long, Aunt Evelyn's downstairs. Just promise me if my aunt rings, to tell her I'm with you?"
"Alright, Connie," Jane said. "But you're going to owe me big time."
"I'll pay you back with interest," Connie replied. "Thanks."
"No problem," Jane said. "Good luck!"
Connie hung up, and slipped her phone into her pocket. Phew, at least her cover story was sorted. Now all she could do was prepare for the upcoming battle.
After informing her aunt of her plans, Connie spent the rest of the afternoon running training drills in her mind, making sure she had enough weapons stocked. Some fire darts from Liam, a couple of veil of darkness arrows from Evelyn's banshees, some stone lances from Sentinel, as well as the power she could draw from Skylark and Argand. There was also her shape-shifting ability, although she wasn't going to use it unless it was absolutely necessary. Without any way to tell the time, she could easily go over her hour limit, and that would be a disaster…
"Connie!" Evelyn called. "It's four o'clock, you should head over to Jane's or you'll be late."
"Coming," Connie answered. Sighing, she donned her scarf and shoes, then trotted downstairs. George was in his feeding chair, and he babbled happily as she passed, rattling his drinking cup. Connie smiled, pausing to kiss his forehead. I'll bring your brother back tonight, George, she promised.
Shuffling on her jacket, Connie ventured out and took to her bike. Jane's house wasn't that far, but it would double her trip to Sentinel's caves, and she needed to get there on time, else the tide would come in and they wouldn't be able to enter the labyrinth. She pushed off, and watched the street lamps flicker on as the sun began to descend to the horizon. The cloud cover was patchy, the wind calm, and she could hear the lap of the tide. If it wasn't so cold, it could have been peaceful.
Finally, Jane's house appeared. Connie skidded to a halt, then dismounted, walking the rest of the way to the drive. She left her bike behind Jane's Dad's car, then strode to the front door. She knocked once, and almost a second later Jane answered.
"Right on time," she said, checking her watch. "Mum and Dad have just gone to the supermarket to fetch dinner. You all set?"
"As prepared as I can be," Connie answered.
"Just relax," Jane advised. "But don't have too high expectations. I've heard the first time can be quite painful. You'll have to tell me all about it, yeah?"
"Alright, alright," Connie said, starting to feel quite uncomfortable discussing this topic. "I'll see you later, and thanks again for doing this."
Jane nodded, and closed the door. Connie sighed, then returned to her bike. She took a different route to the caves, avoiding Shaker Row, and drew her scarf and hood over, making it harder for people to recognise her. Once she was in the labyrinth, she wouldn't be able to leave until the tide went out again, and if anyone saw her, she didn't want them to panic.
As she turned off the road, the caves appeared in the distance. She could sense Sentinel waiting within. She pedalled up as close as she could, then stopped.
"Greetings, Universal," Sentinel said.
"Hello, Sentinel," Connie answered, dismounting her bike, before wheeling it inside the cave.
"You have made it just in time," Sentinel said. He nodded towards the sky. "Your dark pegasus companion has been waiting for you."
Connie gulped, and looked skywards. She couldn't see much at first, but then the clouds parted, and she caught Stormbolt's ebony wings. She raised a shield against him, not wanting to be weakened before their fight had even started.
Stormbolt landed in the sand, Colt atop his back. He was wearing a black leather jacket with matching trousers, boots, gloves, and a black T-shirt.
"Late as usual," he jeered. "I've only brought Stormbolt, as promised." He drew his sword.
"Not here," Sentinel boomed. "You will follow me to the site of your duel."
Col's eyes flared.
"You didn't say anything about this, Connie," he growled. "Deal's off."
"So you want the rest of the Society to interfere?" Connie challenged. "Where we're going, there's going to be no interruptions, and no way to escape, either. You'll never get another chance otherwise." She took a breath, hoping her taunt would work. Col was so adamant to prove himself, surely he couldn't say no.
Col sheathed his sword.
"Just the way it should be," he said at last. "Fine, lead the way, minotaur."
Sentinel bowed. Then he knelt to the ground.
"Universal, I will have to carry you," he said.
Connie obliged, clambering onto the great creature's massive shoulders. Once she was secured, Sentinel walked towards the coast. Col followed on Stormbolt. Connie tried not to look at him too much, but occasionally their eyes met. For a single moment, Col's gaze softened, and she swore she caught a tear in his eye. Deep down, he didn't want this anymore than she did. She sighed, and renewed her grip on Sentinel's horns. I'll end this today, Col. I swear.
Sentinel waded into the sea, sticking to a path parallel to the cliffs. Connie could see why he had to carry her; the water reached past Sentinel's waist, and she would've had to swim otherwise. Stormbolt was tall enough to keep his head and wings above the waves, but Col's legs were soaked. If it bothered him, he didn't show it.
At long last, Connie spotted a cavern inlet sheltered behind a stack of rocks. At the moment the sands were lined with puddles, but Connie could see the tide creeping further and further in. It wouldn't take much to flood the inlet, and submerge the whole cave underwater.
Sentinel emerged from the waves, his torso dripping as he continued onto the sand and into the inlet. Stormbolt shook himself, sending water flying. Connie shivered, the light growing fainter and the shadows lengthening. How was she going to fight if she couldn't see anything?
"Do not worry, Universal," Sentinel spoke through her thoughts. "These are special caves, you need not fear the darkness."
Connie simply nodded. Sentinel knew what he was doing, she'd be fine. Although what was going to happen once the battle started was anybody's guess…
Eventually the caverns began to spread into different passages, and there Connie's eyes widened. The roof and walls were lined with strange crystals, and they emitted a soft blue light, enough to see by. Had the circumstances been different, it might even have looked beautiful. Little wonder the place remained undiscovered, given the dangerous entry.
Sentinel stopped in the centre of the maze. He let Connie off his shoulders, while Stormbolt halted opposite. Connie wished she knew what the pegasus was feeling—a creature of the sky forced in such cramped underground conditions—but she wouldn't risk lifting her shield. It would make her ill again.
Col dismounted Stormbolt, and drew his sword.
"You've picked a good battlefield," he commented, glancing to the blue rocks. "And like you said, nobody leaves until there's a winner." He grinned. "Well, what are you waiting for?"
Connie snarled, and conjured up a silver sword of her own. She was reluctant to use her powers, but she couldn't force Col's connection to break, not yet. She had to make it seem like she was really out to beat him, then catch him off guard. Even if it meant inflicting some injuries of her own.
"Ready when you are," she answered.
Col bolted before the last word escaped her lips. Connie dodged, missing his sword-swing, and then sprinted into the passages. The battle had begun. Sentinel grunted, making for Stormbolt. Connie didn't like leaving the minotaur to face the pegasus alone, but she couldn't fight both Stormbolt and Col. She had to use this to her advantage.
Col's heavy footsteps were right behind her, so Connie gritted her teeth. When she came to a junction in the rock, she spun around and thrust her sword out. The silver met the dark iron of Col's blade, and they struggled.
"You're weak!" Col mocked, pushing harder. Connie's feet skidded, and then she was pressed up against a stalagmite. Col chuckled, throwing all of his weight on top of her. "Is that all you got?"
"Try…this!" Connie let her sword vanish, calling on her gauntlets, before she slammed her hands into Col's chest, drawing on Sentinel's core power of earth. Col went flying, smashing through two rock pillars. He landed in a heap on the floor, dazed, but still conscious. Connie took a breath, holding her fists in a boxing pose. She had to be careful; she didn't want to hurt him too much.
Slowly, Col struggled to his feet, leaning on his sword for support. He looked to Connie, his eyes narrowed.
"Lucky…shot," he panted. He yanked his sword from the earth, regaining his fighting stance. Connie braced her shoulders.
Their stand-off was short lived, as Stormbolt and Sentinel crashed through the stalagmites beside them. Connie yelped, covering her face with her hands to avoid the dust-storm. She caught a glimpse of them, their horns locked, when Col suddenly appeared. Connie ducked to the ground, but not before the iron sword sliced through her cheek. Warm blood dripped down her neck, and she winced, holding a hand to the wound. She began to run.
"Universal!" Kullervo roared in her mind. "Do not turn your back on your enemy!"
Connie dived behind a rock pillar, just as Col's sword hacked at the place she'd been moments before. She scrambled to her feet again, conjuring a shield. He was stronger than she'd anticipated.
"You're faster than I thought," Col said, brushing the sweat from his forehead. "But I like a challenge!"
He swung his blade in reverse, and Connie caught the sword on her shield. At once blinding pain struck her head, and she bowed, her mouth filling with saliva. No, Stormbolt's connection was breaking though!
In moments the blue-rock caverns vanished, and she was on her mental island. The silver ocean surrounded her, and Stormbolt flew above it. The bile rose in Connie's through, and then she was violently sick. No, not now!
Weakly she glanced up, her arms trembling.
"Why…" she whispered.
Stormbolt remained silent, watching her with his blood-red eyes. Connie grimaced, holding her stomach. This bond was so unnatural, like two creatures trying to bond with her at once, twisting both connections apart…
"So there is the answer," Kullervo murmured. "He's a hybrid creature!"
Connie sensed panic rise in Stormbolt.
"The shape-shifter is here?" he rasped. "No!"
He immediately broke the connection, and Connie slammed back to the present. The nausea had gone. She was lying in a pile of rocks, and her back and shoulders were aching something awful. Her right sleeve was also soaked in blood and dust. Col stood above her, his sword at her throat.
"How the heck did someone as pathetic as you get the Universal's gift?" he asked, nudging her chin with the blade. "You've no skill, no strength, and you're a girl!"
Connie's eyes narrowed.
"Why…do you…listen to him?" Connie gasped, wiping the dirt from her mouth.
"Because he understands!" Col growled.
"He lies to you, Col!" Connie snarled.
"Never!"
"Then why did you try to kill Skylark!?"
Col froze. He sword-hand quivered, and his gaze softened.
"I didn't…didn't mean to…" His eyes glistened. "I didn't want to…"
"My Prince, don't listen to her!"
Col cried out, holding a hand to his head. That was enough for Connie, who sprang from the rocks, tackling him. Pain sang through her limbs as they tumbled over and over in a muddle of arms and legs. Eventually they stopped, and Connie pinned Col's arms down, straddling his legs. The sword fell from his fingers, and she stared at him, breathing hard.
"Let me help you," she whispered. "Stormbolt is causing you nothing but pain, I can end it all!"
Col's eyes hardened.
"You're the one who causes me pain!" he shrieked. He tried to break free, but Connie was using her earth gauntlets, so he wasn't going anywhere. "Always showing me up when I try to help, always making my efforts look like nothing!"
"Col, that's not…"
"All the companion creatures worship you!" Col bellowed. "They do anything for you! Even Skylark would rather have you as his companion!"
"That's not true!" Connie hollered back. "He misses you more than anything, Col! He only wants you back, that's all he's ever wanted! And what about your grandmother, Mack, Rat, George…"
"I don't need them, or you, or anyone!" Col hissed. "All everyone ever does is hurt me!" His fist clenched. "Power, power doesn't hurt like love does. It makes me stronger."
"Col, power is what will hurt you the most!" Connie pleaded. "Don't you think I know this better than anyone, when Kullervo…"
"I'm not listening to this anymore!" Col roared. "Stormbolt, help me!"
Connie felt the pegasus try to force open a connection again. She rose to defend herself with a shield, but she had to relinquish her gauntlets. Without Sentinel's added strength, Col easily kicked her aside. She collapsed to the ground, her entire body heavy as lead. She'd used the gauntlets too much.
"It'll end alright, Connie," Col said in a low voice. "Time to say goodnight…"
Connie moaned, fighting to stay awake. She had to move. The black sword lay mere inches from her right hand. It was her only chance. Blotting out the pain in her arm, she reached forward, and her fingertips brushed the blade. Col shouted something, but she didn't hear it, as in the same moment the world spiralled into darkness.
Yet she didn't end up at her silver ocean. Instead she was floating, drifting through a bleak abyss. It was so empty she couldn't even tell which direction she was going. Her heart trembled. Was this…
Suddenly, soft singing caught her ear. It seemed to be coming from her…left? Clenching her fists, Connie willed herself to float in that direction. The singing grew louder, and Connie gasped. It was the same song she'd heard when she touched the sword back at the tor.
She continued to trace its source, until she came across a brilliant orb of light. It reminded her very much of her spirit core, of which Kullervo was now the guardian. This wasn't hers, though. It was older, much older.
As she drifted closer, the orb burst into a pillar of silver. Connie snapped her eyes shut, blinded. Gradually, the excess brightness vanished, and Connie opened her eyes again. She found herself staring at a woman in white robes. Her figure was semi-translucent, like a ghost, but she could pick out her mismatched eyes, fair skin and dark brown hair. Just like hers…
"Hello, Connie Lionheart," the woman greeted. "I've been waiting to meet you."
Connie frowned. "Who are you?"
The woman smiled. "Think for a moment, Connie. You know Stormbolt's legend. Who else could I be?"
Slowly, the gears turned, and Connie's jaw dropped.
"You're…You're Helena Goldswift?!"
The woman nodded.
"But how…you lived so long ago…"
"Some souls can persist for eons after death," Helena explained. "Especially those tied to others."
Connie bowed her head. "You've been in the sword with Stormbolt all this time?"
Helena nodded.
"I'm sorry you have inherited the burden I tried to fix," she said. "I did not expect the sword to be found by a companion to pegasi consumed with such negative emotion."
"Col…" Connie breathed. Her memories flooded back, and she snapped her fingers. "Helena, you have to send me back! I'm still fighting him, I need to…"
"Connie," Helena broke in, "you must not continue this battle."
Connie blinked. "What? Why?"
"I will not allow one so young to make the same mistake I did," Helena went on. "You mustn't let Stormbolt send you mad, as he did to me."
"But Helena, it's alright," Connie argued. "I'm miles under the ground, there's nobody I could hurt, so when I regain my mind…"
"The madness is not temporary," Helena cut in. Connie froze. "It will continue to come and go, and there is no way to predict when it strikes. I myself thought as you did, and lived for several years, unaware of the destruction my powers wrought. It was for this reason the Society for the Protection of Mythical Creatures was created; to contain me."
Connie's mouth went dry. Was this true? Was this another reason why Universal companions were so feared and hated?
"I understand your confusion, child," Helena said. "But know that stories decay over time, that truth can be obscured by falsity. Whatever record you found of me and Stormbolt might hold grains of reality, but you must believe my words more."
"I do believe you," Connie answered, "but I have to finish what I started, too. I can't just stop."
"I admire your courage, Connie," Helena said, "but you cannot resign yourself to this fate, not when the mythical creatures need you. For the Universal's role is more important than you realise."
"But what else can I do?!" Connie cried. Her eyes burned with tears. "I love Col, do you have any idea how much it hurts to stand by and watch him act like this?! How many I've felt suffer at his hand…"
"I know only too well," Helena said, "for the pegasus companion I fought was my lover, too." She smiled sadly. "History has a strange way of repeating itself. But I can't let you do this." She took Connie's hands. "I can place your love and Stormbolt into a temporary sleep. Then you must promise that you will flee the battle."
"Only if you tell me how I can save him!" Connie sobbed. "Please Helena, I'll do anything!"
"I'm sorry, I can't answer that, Connie," Helena replied. "But you have your true companion to guide you, as I did not. He is older and wiser than I. Seek his advice."
She released Connie, and floated away. Connie scrambled after her, desperate to regain contact, to learn more, when the darkness lifted. The blue-light of the caverns returned, and the smell of earth and seawater flooded her nostrils. She coughed, the dust catching the back of her throat, and looked around.
Helena had kept her promise. Col was lying against a stalagmite, his head against his chest. Stormbolt, too, was on the ground, very still, but breathing. Sentinel was nearby, sporting injuries to his chest and arms, and panting hard.
"Universal," Kullervo's voice echoed in her mind. "You need to flee this battle at once,"
Connie blinked.
"What, you too?"
Kullervo frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Connie sighed. "Never mind, I'll explain later. But why?"
"I have discovered Stormbolt's secret," Kullervo replied. "Why he makes us ill when he connects to us, why he seeks a pegasi companion, and why he has those horns."
"Oh?"
"Flee the battle, and I will share with you my revelation."
"Kullervo, no, wait!"
She was too late—his presence had already disappeared. She stamped her foot. Why was everyone being so cryptic?! If she had the answers now, she could do something…
"Universal?" Sentinel approached her, wincing. "Is it over?"
Connie closed her eyes. She had no other choice.
"This battle is," she said bitterly. "My friend—no, my love can't be saved this way."
She walked over to where Col was lying. She watched his chest rise and fall, and sank to his side. His face was covered in dirt and scratches, his leather jacket torn and T-shirt ripped. She brushed her fingers over his jaw.
"Forgive me, Col." She wrapped her arms around him and pressing her forehead against his cheek. "But I'm never going to give up. I'll save you and get you back to Skylark. I promise." She gently kissed him on the lips. "I love you."
She stood up, forcing her tears away.
"Take me home, Sentinel," she said. "I'm so sorry you had to fight for me."
"Universal, it is my honour to serve you." Sentinel bowed. "Let us go home."