Original Fic - The Darkness that Binds
Title: The Darkness that Binds
Rating: PG-13 (Dec 2006)
Words: 3,100
Summary: Anwan, the leader of the Order, faces his biggest challenge to date. Part of the Naricaii World
Morien, 556
The wind roared, thunder growled and lightning flashed, illuminating the hillside, but still the mage continued to chant the spell. He wanted desperately to brush his dripping hair from his face but was forced to ignore the rain that was pounding against his body with an unnatural brutality untypical of a normal storm.
Anwan was concentrating so hard on his task that he was only dimly aware of the two hands he had firmly grasped in his. Had he not been able to feel all of their power rushing through his body, contracting and pushing against his own power, he would not have believed their were twelve other people stood in a circle, linked to each other by touch.
The power rushing into his body was so intense, it was getting painful but still he held on tightly to the two people on his left and right side, Nolwenn and Trevelyan, knowing what severing the link would do to them all whilst the power was so concentrated.
The spell was nearing an end now, gathering a momentum that brought several crashes of thunder and lightning on them and even heavier rain. As the last word of the chant was spoken the storm stopped as suddenly as it had begun and an eerie silence filled the air, which seemed to tremble with energy. Anwan glanced around the circle who were now all exchanging worried glances, even Anwan felt a shiver of fear run up his spine; surely something should have happened by now?
“H-have we failed?” Nolwenn asked in a shaking voice, her alarm evident.
“I know not,” Anwan whispered, panic surging in his stomach. There was so much that could go wrong, so much that could go so terribly wrong.
“Should we try again?” Trevelyan swallowed hard, but even as the young man spoke, several smoky outlines began to form before the circle, slowly becoming solid. Nolwenn gasped loudly and Anwan heard a few others cry or curse in shock and fear. He resisted the urge to scream himself but instead found the strength to speak.
“Hold your positions, this is not over. They will try to break through the power, we must keep them contained. This is the hardest part. Once I am sure they are contained, I will give the signal and we will destroy them.”
They were tall figures that appeared human in appearance but Anwan knew better, he had seen their true form one before. He shuddered at the memory of those lifeless soulless, black eyes and unnaturally long fingers and pale deathly faces that had haunted his memories. It was an image that would not leave him for a long time and even though Anwan knew the chains that bound the figures were controlled by the twelve, he still wanted to run. His fear was beginning to dominate him now, threatening to consume his sense. It took all of his will to thrust that fear away and concentrate.
“Why have you bound us here?” One of the chained figures growled. Anwan gulped and felt Nolwenn’s grip tighten.
“You do not belong here, in this world demon!” Anwan shouted over the wind, which was beginning to whistle and howl again, blasting his cloak around his body like a skin tight mould. “You will return to your own world!”
“Return?” The form demanded in a low guttural hiss, its bestial face contorting with rage. “This is our world now, this is where we belong.”
“No, it is not! Go back to the shadows evil one!” The form made a deep sound that could have been a laugh.
“Your kind invited us here, human. You invoked us and we will not return now.”
Not wanting to banter with the creature, Anwan began the second part of the chant; the others in the circle following his lead. The chained demons howled a terrible sound of what could only be described as tormented agony, then with a retribution that was swift and terrible, the demons suddenly responded, their strength unbelievable. Anwan sank to his knees as the pain hit him fully and the first time in his long life, Anwan’s mind suddenly went blank. It was perfect bliss. He felt death’s hands on his body and soul; felt it claw at him entire existence. He was welcoming death, he wanted to die, but as further pain erupted across his temple he realised with dim certainty he was still holding Nolwenn and Trevelyan’s hand and forced himself to remember his task. To give up now would be to embrace death. He would not place that fate upon the others.
Pushing every ounce of the power he could muster around the circle, he ignored the screaming beasts and maintained the bond. After what seemed like an eternity, the power began to flare, slowly at first then gradually strengthening as the twelve began to draw on the hope given briefly by Anwan. The chant continued gathering momentum as it reached its peak.
There was another deafening crash of thunder and blinding lightning. Anwan closed his eyes firmly and did not reopen them until the light had subsided. The shadows had gone and all that remained of them on this earth was a patch of smoking grass were they had been stood.
Anwan glared at that spot, transfixed, his eyes wide. Fear pumped through his veins like acid, his head span, his mouth felt dry. Slowly, he rose off the ground shakily, half expecting the demons to reappear but they did not. He glanced around the circle, his eyes flickering from each of their faces. Three of the twelve lay dead on the ground, their eyes glazed open. The amount of power they had channelled tonight had been too much for some. Anwan felt empty. He had caused their deaths.
Nolwenn staggered slightly and Trevelyan sank to the ground exhausted. Iorwerth and Tristain were holding Tredan between them and Helivia had collapsed onto her knees, still holding the hand of Ceridwen’s dead body, sobbing, unable to release her. The golden haired Ehrahn and Elaria were also dead; their eyes wide open with fear but glazed. They too walked in the shadow land with Ceridwen for all eternity.
“My lord?” Nolwenn asked, struggling to catch her breath. “They are gone?”
Anwan repeated the question over in his head. Gone? After a hundred and fifty-seven year war it did not seem possible that this was finally over. So many times he had seen his friends look at death and even leave for the Otherlands. Far too many times Anwan himself had looked death in the eye and feared his fate. It seemed unfair that he had made it whilst others hadn’t. He glanced at Nolwenn who was staring at him expectantly. To have this nightmare finally over seemed impossible.
He sighed. “Over, Nolwenn? I suppose it must be over.”
“What happens now?” Her voice shook whether from fear or relief, Anwan couldn’t tell.
“We bury the dead and get on with our lives.”
“But what of Idris and Ezrael?” Helivia demanded, finally releasing Ceridwen’s hand, wiping tears from her eyes. “They are still out there.”
“Then we will hunt them down also and destroy them.”
The moon was low in the sky now and the eastern horizon was beginning to show pale reds and yellows. The sun would rise in an hour or so on a new dawn. It would be a dawn that had never been seen in this world, one without fear and death. Anwan welcomed that day.
“Can it truly be over?” Tristain asked with wonderment. Anwan couldn’t help but grin at the lad’s face.
“I know it is hard to…” he trailed off as a tickling sensation ran down his spine to his feet erupting suddenly in pain. He knew instantly he had been hit with the power and spun to see were the attack had come from.
“You think that you and your meaningless circle are stronger than us, Anwan?”
A dark haired man stepped into the circle, and touched the grass. It steamed under his hand but he held it there for a while before he rose to his feet and glared at Anwan, his eyes boring into his. He was an imposing figure that oozed authority.
Anwan subconsciously forced his feet not to move, despite wanting to step back.
A second figure appeared suddenly behind the man. She was a tall, blonde haired woman garbed in full plate armour. She was pretty from first appearances but Anwan had seen the darkness in her soul. He was unable to keep the contempt from his voice as he spoke.
“I think it is us who stand here alive whilst your demons are banished to the shadows.” Anwan murmured. Idris gave a short, sharp bark of laughter.
“You think your little ‘hex’ can stop us? Can destroy us?”
“Odhran, Mawgan, Aed, Hafgan, Belanus, Dubhan, Margh and Kalian…they are all banished into oblivion. The others are dead.” Tredan growled, pulling away from Iorwerth’s supportive grip. “Are you prepared to join their fate, Idris?” it was said fiercely but there was little passion behind his exhausted eyes.
“Give it up as a lost cause,” Nolwenn snarled at him. “It is over, you and your demons have been defeated, Idris.”
“You think so, little girl?” Ezrael snarled, linking her arms around Idris’ waist. “You think because you have banished our brothers and sisters, that we cannot restore them? That I cannot restore them?”
Anwan felt a cold warning shudder run down his back as Ezrael laughed. “I am Ezrael, I am the darkness, and I can call the dark to me.”
“What do you mean?” Anwan demanded but Idris smiled coldly.
“You thought you were saving those pathetic souls down there, but all you have done, Anwan, is give them time. Do you not think I have planned for this? I might not have been able to stop you from sending Them back - even I am not strong enough with the power to take on thirty full strength mages - but you have lost much of your pathetic Order since this war began and nine exhausted mages, well, that my friend is a different matter.”
She threw a large ball of power at Anwan; it flashed blue as it hit him and evaporated. Anwan staggered from the force but managed to stay standing. He was tired and so were all the others. They could not fight Idris and Ezrael at full strength when three of the Order were dead and of the nine whom survived, Anwan doubted could lift a cup with the power at the moment, never mind fight with it. This was not going to end well and Ezrael knew she had the advantage.
“You will die in this lost cause, Anwan, not in a blaze of glory as you would have hoped. A defeated man.”
Ezrael smirked at Nolwenn, who was shuddering with rage.
“And how exactly do you plan to bring them back when we have banished them to a realm outside of our reality?” Anwan was stalling for time, wondering what he could do. He did not fear death, but he was not entirely sure he was ready to die without experiencing the free world.
“You foolish man,” Ezrael growled, “we are not like you anymore, Anwan, we do not need a circle to complete our power. We can destroy the world alone. You think that demons are our only allies in the war? I am not the little apprentice you took on two hundred and thirty years ago. Unlike you I do not fear to use my full power.”
Anwan felt her drawing on the power. Panic took him suddenly as she continued to draw deeper than he had ever dared and before he could stop himself he drew his own power and hit Ezrael with it at full force.
Ezrael screamed and writhed, blood pouring from her nose and mouth. Idris was at her side immediately. She was dying. Anwan sank to his knees, spitting blood himself, he swallowed hard, wondering were such power had come from. He wondered how it was even possible to have inflicted such an injury to her in the state he was in.
“You! Anwan, how could you do this to her?” Idris' expression was filled with shock and hate. He dropped to Ezrael's side, wiping the blood from her mouth.
Idris glanced behind the circle suddenly, his eyes glistening with triumph.
“Ah, Connaghyn, Albany, you are just in time! Destroy these infidels.”
Anwan spun to see two figures strange figures that had joined the circle. The dark haired Albany kept a firm grasp on Connaghyn’s hand. Anwan’s first thought was panic. These two men fought on the side of Idris and his deceivers, they were as strong as Idris and Ezrael. The three of them together would demolish the circle. Anwan and the others would not stand a chance. Anwan was terrified. At the same time it seemed strange that he was afraid of them both, he had taught them all they knew. Had he known then that his apprentices would use that knowledge against the world he would never have taught any of them a word.
He half staggered back to get out of range, feeling fenced in, sandwiched between Idris and Albany and Conn’s power. One shot from them all and he would be walking in oblivion himself for eternity. Idris took Ezrael in his arms as she gasped and choked on her own blood. He turned and glared at Conn and Albany.
“Kill them!” Idris growled, a smile creeping onto his face.
“No.” It was said so simply that Idris took a few moments to register what Conn had said.
“What?” Idris demanded incredulously.
“No. Ezrael got what she deserved.”
“You did this?” Idris said with abhorrence.
“Its something we should have done to both of you a long time ago,” Albany told him.
“We wanted power, Idris, but you were so corrupted by the idea of power. We warned you what would happen if you continued.” Conn growled.
“You made us monsters to be feared, not gods than men would worship,” Albany interjected.
“You lied to us and you betrayed everything we stood for. Cynfael paid for his mistakes dearly,” Conn concluded.
“You killed Cynfael?” Idris’s tone was disbelieving.
“And Hagan.”
Idris laughed in spite of everything.
“I should have suspected treachery. Anwan and his order were never strong enough to destroy us. They settled merely for banishing us to a realm of nothing.”
“They may not be able to kill you, but we can,” Albany said, tossing his head.
“You still don’t get it do you, Albany?” A smirk began to cross Idris’ face. “You may have killed Ezrael today but she’ll live tomorrow.” He took something out of his pocket that Anwan could not see clearly, chanted a few words and like the demons had he and Ezrael disappeared into thin air. Anwan’s lips parted slightly as he stared at the empty spot were Idris had been stood.
“What happened? Where did they go?” Tristain gasped.
Anwan dragged his tired body over and touched the grass where Idris had been, hoping to find a clue as to what he had just done. His heart was hammering in his chest, wondering what he was up to. He laid a trembling palm on the ground and drew on a touch of his power. Nolwenn was at his side immediately.
“What is it?”
Anwan felt a shiver run up his spine, his stomach felt cold.
“I can’t track him. I don’t know where he has gone.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Idris reappeared in the north of Faria. He had not chosen this place for any reason other than it was far from the Order and few people lived here. Lowering Ezrael gently to the ground, he wiped the blood from her ashen face. She looked up at him, tears glistening in her eyes.
“I’m... dying, Idris.” She gulped for air, gasping and hacking at the same time, trying to clear the blood from her chest. “My... my time... has come.”
“No it hasn’t my love.” He kissed her on her lips and held her close, tears in his eyes. “I’ll not live eternity without you.”
He tried to remain calm for Ezrael’s sake but rage roared within him and deceit and betrayal lay heavily on him.
“You must…finish it…live for me...” She coughed blood and it took a moment for her body to stop trembling.
“No!” Idris growled. “I need you! You can’t LEAVE ME!”
Angrier than he had ever felt in his entire life, he drew on the power and held his hands over her body. He could feel her broken body fighting for life. Even in death, Ezrael was still fighting. He dug deeper into her body and after a moment found what he was looking for. He chanted a few words, drawing deeper on the power and Ezrael’s body shuddered and convulsed with the strain on her heart. Then she was still.
Idris stared at her face for a moment, unwilling to believe she was dead. He hit her.
"Wake up! Dont you give up on me! You're stronger than this Ezrael! You're strong than all of them!"
He pounded her broken body, willing her back to life, drawing on more and more power but she lay still. He gulped, brushing her hair from her face he pulled her close to him, looking into her pale eyes. She was beautiful even in death. He kissed her one last time and with a quick flick of the power he laid her body to rest in a blazing fire. Burnt, so that they could not find her body and destroy it. He would rather die himself than find they had hacked at her corpse.
He rose and moved away from the fire. His heart ached for his lover, she was his soul mate, they had been through so much together and he had loved her always. He wiped a tear before it fell, he would not cry for her.
“We shall meet soon, my love.” He said simply, the fire of revenge burning in his soul.
And in a way not even Anwan could imagine. Ezrael would live again and when she did, Idris would find her and they would carry on their life together. Yes, he thought with a laugh, she would live again because of him.
“Watch your backs, my friends, oh yes, watch them well,” Idris growled, anger consuming him, “for one day my demons will be chewing on it!”
Rating: PG-13 (Dec 2006)
Words: 3,100
Summary: Anwan, the leader of the Order, faces his biggest challenge to date. Part of the Naricaii World
Morien, 556
The wind roared, thunder growled and lightning flashed, illuminating the hillside, but still the mage continued to chant the spell. He wanted desperately to brush his dripping hair from his face but was forced to ignore the rain that was pounding against his body with an unnatural brutality untypical of a normal storm.
Anwan was concentrating so hard on his task that he was only dimly aware of the two hands he had firmly grasped in his. Had he not been able to feel all of their power rushing through his body, contracting and pushing against his own power, he would not have believed their were twelve other people stood in a circle, linked to each other by touch.
The power rushing into his body was so intense, it was getting painful but still he held on tightly to the two people on his left and right side, Nolwenn and Trevelyan, knowing what severing the link would do to them all whilst the power was so concentrated.
The spell was nearing an end now, gathering a momentum that brought several crashes of thunder and lightning on them and even heavier rain. As the last word of the chant was spoken the storm stopped as suddenly as it had begun and an eerie silence filled the air, which seemed to tremble with energy. Anwan glanced around the circle who were now all exchanging worried glances, even Anwan felt a shiver of fear run up his spine; surely something should have happened by now?
“H-have we failed?” Nolwenn asked in a shaking voice, her alarm evident.
“I know not,” Anwan whispered, panic surging in his stomach. There was so much that could go wrong, so much that could go so terribly wrong.
“Should we try again?” Trevelyan swallowed hard, but even as the young man spoke, several smoky outlines began to form before the circle, slowly becoming solid. Nolwenn gasped loudly and Anwan heard a few others cry or curse in shock and fear. He resisted the urge to scream himself but instead found the strength to speak.
“Hold your positions, this is not over. They will try to break through the power, we must keep them contained. This is the hardest part. Once I am sure they are contained, I will give the signal and we will destroy them.”
They were tall figures that appeared human in appearance but Anwan knew better, he had seen their true form one before. He shuddered at the memory of those lifeless soulless, black eyes and unnaturally long fingers and pale deathly faces that had haunted his memories. It was an image that would not leave him for a long time and even though Anwan knew the chains that bound the figures were controlled by the twelve, he still wanted to run. His fear was beginning to dominate him now, threatening to consume his sense. It took all of his will to thrust that fear away and concentrate.
“Why have you bound us here?” One of the chained figures growled. Anwan gulped and felt Nolwenn’s grip tighten.
“You do not belong here, in this world demon!” Anwan shouted over the wind, which was beginning to whistle and howl again, blasting his cloak around his body like a skin tight mould. “You will return to your own world!”
“Return?” The form demanded in a low guttural hiss, its bestial face contorting with rage. “This is our world now, this is where we belong.”
“No, it is not! Go back to the shadows evil one!” The form made a deep sound that could have been a laugh.
“Your kind invited us here, human. You invoked us and we will not return now.”
Not wanting to banter with the creature, Anwan began the second part of the chant; the others in the circle following his lead. The chained demons howled a terrible sound of what could only be described as tormented agony, then with a retribution that was swift and terrible, the demons suddenly responded, their strength unbelievable. Anwan sank to his knees as the pain hit him fully and the first time in his long life, Anwan’s mind suddenly went blank. It was perfect bliss. He felt death’s hands on his body and soul; felt it claw at him entire existence. He was welcoming death, he wanted to die, but as further pain erupted across his temple he realised with dim certainty he was still holding Nolwenn and Trevelyan’s hand and forced himself to remember his task. To give up now would be to embrace death. He would not place that fate upon the others.
Pushing every ounce of the power he could muster around the circle, he ignored the screaming beasts and maintained the bond. After what seemed like an eternity, the power began to flare, slowly at first then gradually strengthening as the twelve began to draw on the hope given briefly by Anwan. The chant continued gathering momentum as it reached its peak.
There was another deafening crash of thunder and blinding lightning. Anwan closed his eyes firmly and did not reopen them until the light had subsided. The shadows had gone and all that remained of them on this earth was a patch of smoking grass were they had been stood.
Anwan glared at that spot, transfixed, his eyes wide. Fear pumped through his veins like acid, his head span, his mouth felt dry. Slowly, he rose off the ground shakily, half expecting the demons to reappear but they did not. He glanced around the circle, his eyes flickering from each of their faces. Three of the twelve lay dead on the ground, their eyes glazed open. The amount of power they had channelled tonight had been too much for some. Anwan felt empty. He had caused their deaths.
Nolwenn staggered slightly and Trevelyan sank to the ground exhausted. Iorwerth and Tristain were holding Tredan between them and Helivia had collapsed onto her knees, still holding the hand of Ceridwen’s dead body, sobbing, unable to release her. The golden haired Ehrahn and Elaria were also dead; their eyes wide open with fear but glazed. They too walked in the shadow land with Ceridwen for all eternity.
“My lord?” Nolwenn asked, struggling to catch her breath. “They are gone?”
Anwan repeated the question over in his head. Gone? After a hundred and fifty-seven year war it did not seem possible that this was finally over. So many times he had seen his friends look at death and even leave for the Otherlands. Far too many times Anwan himself had looked death in the eye and feared his fate. It seemed unfair that he had made it whilst others hadn’t. He glanced at Nolwenn who was staring at him expectantly. To have this nightmare finally over seemed impossible.
He sighed. “Over, Nolwenn? I suppose it must be over.”
“What happens now?” Her voice shook whether from fear or relief, Anwan couldn’t tell.
“We bury the dead and get on with our lives.”
“But what of Idris and Ezrael?” Helivia demanded, finally releasing Ceridwen’s hand, wiping tears from her eyes. “They are still out there.”
“Then we will hunt them down also and destroy them.”
The moon was low in the sky now and the eastern horizon was beginning to show pale reds and yellows. The sun would rise in an hour or so on a new dawn. It would be a dawn that had never been seen in this world, one without fear and death. Anwan welcomed that day.
“Can it truly be over?” Tristain asked with wonderment. Anwan couldn’t help but grin at the lad’s face.
“I know it is hard to…” he trailed off as a tickling sensation ran down his spine to his feet erupting suddenly in pain. He knew instantly he had been hit with the power and spun to see were the attack had come from.
“You think that you and your meaningless circle are stronger than us, Anwan?”
A dark haired man stepped into the circle, and touched the grass. It steamed under his hand but he held it there for a while before he rose to his feet and glared at Anwan, his eyes boring into his. He was an imposing figure that oozed authority.
Anwan subconsciously forced his feet not to move, despite wanting to step back.
A second figure appeared suddenly behind the man. She was a tall, blonde haired woman garbed in full plate armour. She was pretty from first appearances but Anwan had seen the darkness in her soul. He was unable to keep the contempt from his voice as he spoke.
“I think it is us who stand here alive whilst your demons are banished to the shadows.” Anwan murmured. Idris gave a short, sharp bark of laughter.
“You think your little ‘hex’ can stop us? Can destroy us?”
“Odhran, Mawgan, Aed, Hafgan, Belanus, Dubhan, Margh and Kalian…they are all banished into oblivion. The others are dead.” Tredan growled, pulling away from Iorwerth’s supportive grip. “Are you prepared to join their fate, Idris?” it was said fiercely but there was little passion behind his exhausted eyes.
“Give it up as a lost cause,” Nolwenn snarled at him. “It is over, you and your demons have been defeated, Idris.”
“You think so, little girl?” Ezrael snarled, linking her arms around Idris’ waist. “You think because you have banished our brothers and sisters, that we cannot restore them? That I cannot restore them?”
Anwan felt a cold warning shudder run down his back as Ezrael laughed. “I am Ezrael, I am the darkness, and I can call the dark to me.”
“What do you mean?” Anwan demanded but Idris smiled coldly.
“You thought you were saving those pathetic souls down there, but all you have done, Anwan, is give them time. Do you not think I have planned for this? I might not have been able to stop you from sending Them back - even I am not strong enough with the power to take on thirty full strength mages - but you have lost much of your pathetic Order since this war began and nine exhausted mages, well, that my friend is a different matter.”
She threw a large ball of power at Anwan; it flashed blue as it hit him and evaporated. Anwan staggered from the force but managed to stay standing. He was tired and so were all the others. They could not fight Idris and Ezrael at full strength when three of the Order were dead and of the nine whom survived, Anwan doubted could lift a cup with the power at the moment, never mind fight with it. This was not going to end well and Ezrael knew she had the advantage.
“You will die in this lost cause, Anwan, not in a blaze of glory as you would have hoped. A defeated man.”
Ezrael smirked at Nolwenn, who was shuddering with rage.
“And how exactly do you plan to bring them back when we have banished them to a realm outside of our reality?” Anwan was stalling for time, wondering what he could do. He did not fear death, but he was not entirely sure he was ready to die without experiencing the free world.
“You foolish man,” Ezrael growled, “we are not like you anymore, Anwan, we do not need a circle to complete our power. We can destroy the world alone. You think that demons are our only allies in the war? I am not the little apprentice you took on two hundred and thirty years ago. Unlike you I do not fear to use my full power.”
Anwan felt her drawing on the power. Panic took him suddenly as she continued to draw deeper than he had ever dared and before he could stop himself he drew his own power and hit Ezrael with it at full force.
Ezrael screamed and writhed, blood pouring from her nose and mouth. Idris was at her side immediately. She was dying. Anwan sank to his knees, spitting blood himself, he swallowed hard, wondering were such power had come from. He wondered how it was even possible to have inflicted such an injury to her in the state he was in.
“You! Anwan, how could you do this to her?” Idris' expression was filled with shock and hate. He dropped to Ezrael's side, wiping the blood from her mouth.
Idris glanced behind the circle suddenly, his eyes glistening with triumph.
“Ah, Connaghyn, Albany, you are just in time! Destroy these infidels.”
Anwan spun to see two figures strange figures that had joined the circle. The dark haired Albany kept a firm grasp on Connaghyn’s hand. Anwan’s first thought was panic. These two men fought on the side of Idris and his deceivers, they were as strong as Idris and Ezrael. The three of them together would demolish the circle. Anwan and the others would not stand a chance. Anwan was terrified. At the same time it seemed strange that he was afraid of them both, he had taught them all they knew. Had he known then that his apprentices would use that knowledge against the world he would never have taught any of them a word.
He half staggered back to get out of range, feeling fenced in, sandwiched between Idris and Albany and Conn’s power. One shot from them all and he would be walking in oblivion himself for eternity. Idris took Ezrael in his arms as she gasped and choked on her own blood. He turned and glared at Conn and Albany.
“Kill them!” Idris growled, a smile creeping onto his face.
“No.” It was said so simply that Idris took a few moments to register what Conn had said.
“What?” Idris demanded incredulously.
“No. Ezrael got what she deserved.”
“You did this?” Idris said with abhorrence.
“Its something we should have done to both of you a long time ago,” Albany told him.
“We wanted power, Idris, but you were so corrupted by the idea of power. We warned you what would happen if you continued.” Conn growled.
“You made us monsters to be feared, not gods than men would worship,” Albany interjected.
“You lied to us and you betrayed everything we stood for. Cynfael paid for his mistakes dearly,” Conn concluded.
“You killed Cynfael?” Idris’s tone was disbelieving.
“And Hagan.”
Idris laughed in spite of everything.
“I should have suspected treachery. Anwan and his order were never strong enough to destroy us. They settled merely for banishing us to a realm of nothing.”
“They may not be able to kill you, but we can,” Albany said, tossing his head.
“You still don’t get it do you, Albany?” A smirk began to cross Idris’ face. “You may have killed Ezrael today but she’ll live tomorrow.” He took something out of his pocket that Anwan could not see clearly, chanted a few words and like the demons had he and Ezrael disappeared into thin air. Anwan’s lips parted slightly as he stared at the empty spot were Idris had been stood.
“What happened? Where did they go?” Tristain gasped.
Anwan dragged his tired body over and touched the grass where Idris had been, hoping to find a clue as to what he had just done. His heart was hammering in his chest, wondering what he was up to. He laid a trembling palm on the ground and drew on a touch of his power. Nolwenn was at his side immediately.
“What is it?”
Anwan felt a shiver run up his spine, his stomach felt cold.
“I can’t track him. I don’t know where he has gone.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Idris reappeared in the north of Faria. He had not chosen this place for any reason other than it was far from the Order and few people lived here. Lowering Ezrael gently to the ground, he wiped the blood from her ashen face. She looked up at him, tears glistening in her eyes.
“I’m... dying, Idris.” She gulped for air, gasping and hacking at the same time, trying to clear the blood from her chest. “My... my time... has come.”
“No it hasn’t my love.” He kissed her on her lips and held her close, tears in his eyes. “I’ll not live eternity without you.”
He tried to remain calm for Ezrael’s sake but rage roared within him and deceit and betrayal lay heavily on him.
“You must…finish it…live for me...” She coughed blood and it took a moment for her body to stop trembling.
“No!” Idris growled. “I need you! You can’t LEAVE ME!”
Angrier than he had ever felt in his entire life, he drew on the power and held his hands over her body. He could feel her broken body fighting for life. Even in death, Ezrael was still fighting. He dug deeper into her body and after a moment found what he was looking for. He chanted a few words, drawing deeper on the power and Ezrael’s body shuddered and convulsed with the strain on her heart. Then she was still.
Idris stared at her face for a moment, unwilling to believe she was dead. He hit her.
"Wake up! Dont you give up on me! You're stronger than this Ezrael! You're strong than all of them!"
He pounded her broken body, willing her back to life, drawing on more and more power but she lay still. He gulped, brushing her hair from her face he pulled her close to him, looking into her pale eyes. She was beautiful even in death. He kissed her one last time and with a quick flick of the power he laid her body to rest in a blazing fire. Burnt, so that they could not find her body and destroy it. He would rather die himself than find they had hacked at her corpse.
He rose and moved away from the fire. His heart ached for his lover, she was his soul mate, they had been through so much together and he had loved her always. He wiped a tear before it fell, he would not cry for her.
“We shall meet soon, my love.” He said simply, the fire of revenge burning in his soul.
And in a way not even Anwan could imagine. Ezrael would live again and when she did, Idris would find her and they would carry on their life together. Yes, he thought with a laugh, she would live again because of him.
“Watch your backs, my friends, oh yes, watch them well,” Idris growled, anger consuming him, “for one day my demons will be chewing on it!”