...Kain lies dead, and Akel is in
possession of the amulet of Fire. Garland has also been defeated,
his quest for the orb
now ended...
"Where is his head?" Valvalis choked, as she looked
under the cloth. Schala had covered the body with one of the
tapestries.
Akel grinned.
"He's not totally dead. I do have to ability to...fix
him." Akel chuckled.
Valvalis grabbed his throat. "Do it. Now!"
"I can't. Not here at least." Akel smirked.
"Where?" Valvalis demanded.
"Other worlds, other times..." the mage spoke
wistfully. "Schala, prepare the portal." Schala nodded,
and began tracing
intricate runes upon the surface of the egg. "Where's the
head?" Akel asked, almost absentmindedly.
"In the urn." Schala spoke, to pausing in her ritual.
"Silly, me. Of course." He said picking up the large
black jar. "It may take me a while, but I assure you, I will
return Kain to
you." Akel looked into Valvalis's blue-green eyes. "I
owe him that much, if not more." He said somberly. Behind
him, a blue,
swirling gate opened. "I would take you with us, but only
three may travel through the gate at once." Akel motioned to
Garland, who shuffled forward. "It's time you went back to
your own world." Garland nodded in agreement. He'd had
enough
of this place.
"Promise me, you'll heal him." Valvalis spoke, tears
running down her face.
"I've already started." Akel smiled.
"We have to go. Now." Schala prodded, stepping toward
the gate.
"Yes, yes. Of course." Akel replied. "Till we meet
again." The mage looked the wind amulet, noticing it for the
first time. His
eyes went wide. "The final pendant..."
Edge placed his hand on his blade. "What are you
thinking...?"
Akel reached out and pulled the pendant free. Valvalis looked on
in shock. "How did you do that? I thought it could only be
removed at death."
"Or with the emergence of a new life." Akel smiled.
"Congratulations" was all he said as he stepped through
the portal.
Kain watched the stars spin about him as they were joined by
rainbows of color. He felt himself being carried across the
spance of existence. He was everywhere at once. Every time. He
saw distant worlds, and familiar lands. New people and old
friends long gone. Kain became one with the visions, learning.
Then he felt another presence. Before him was the image of a
young man. Knotted muscles rippled underneath his shirt. His
blond hair was swept upwards. "You are the one in the
picture...from my dream." Kain spoke, but he did not speak.
"I am Sabin Figaro." the ghost answered. Sabin regarded
the Dragoon curiously. "Your time has not come. You still
have a link
to the world of the living."
"I feel pretty dead." Kain replied. Sabin smiled
knowingly.
"You are here to lead me back. I too was taken before my
time, but I lost the link." Sabin said regretfully. He held
out his
ethereal hand, and Kain took it, holding it firm. "Show me
the way."
Before them stood a great labyrinth. It's infinite hallways
leading to just as many fates. Kain somehow knew which way was
the right way.
Together, they began the long journey back to the land of the
living...
This story is dedicated to Jessica Langer, who's warmth
and love has brought new meaning to my life.