Saved

Without another word, Veretta stood petulantly and started off towards the lake. Upon reaching the dark depths, she found the stars aglow upon the surface of the water. The beauty was enough to take her breath away. Veretta at once felt far from everyone, yet close to everything.

"Don't let him rile you up," Tomas entreated joining her.

Veretta turned to him. To his surprise, her expression was as still as the surface of the water.

"I believe his words," she said softly, " I believe he will get us through the gates with whatever he is planning,"

"Then what is it?" Tomas frowned.

"I don't know," Veretta inhaled deeply, "but I feel strange, Tomas. As though something terrible is about to happen,"

"What makes you say that?"

"Do you remember when my parents died?" Veretta asked in a low voice, "My father was master. An incredible mage and so was my mother. When they died I thought it must be a lie. I couldn't comprehend how they could...just die like that. I couldn't comprehend the extent of Silthus' wickedness. I'm afraid it's about to happen all over again. That I am about to watch everyone die and there will be nothing I can do about it. The fear...it chokes me, it consumes me,"

Tomas took her hand tightly, "We will succeed,"

"How can you be sure?" Veretta asked quietly.

"Because, we have something that Silthus doesn't have," Tomas smiled widely, "we have each other this time. None of us are alone. Even if our goals diverge. In this one thing we are together. We just have to rely on each other. We will save Michael and maybe end this once and for all,"

"And what if Michael doesn't want to be saved?" Veretta's hand trembled slightly.

"Well then Michael's a fool!" Tomas laughed, "OF course he wants to be saved, Veretta. Everyone wants to be saved, deep down. He's just been alone so long, he's afraid to admit it."

"Thank you, Tomas," Veretta smiled.

Their hands were still clasped together as Tomas pulled back with an awkward smile as he glanced around, "No problem...I should head back,"

Veretta remained a moment beholding the great expense of the universe reflected in the dark waters. She had hardly thought of the gods and their will as a student. She knew now or at least felt they must be real. But what did that mean? What did life mean if there were gods who oversaw everything? How much control did they have over their lives? If she prayed, would they answer?

"No," came a voice, "they won't answer,"

Veretta glanced back surprised. Shallow was staring back at her. His glowing purple eyes seemed to catch the light of the stars and light up brilliantly.

"But you answered," Veretta said quietly.

"Not by choice," Shallow replied.

"IF you had a choice then, you wouldn't have helped me?" Veretta met his gaze unflinchingly.

Shallow gave a small smile, "I didn't say that,"

He turned up to the star encrusted sky, "but it is rarely so simple when the gods are involved."

"But if it was up to you. Without having to consider what the others want, what would you do Shallow?" Veretta questioned.

Shallow's crystal-like eyes panned down slowly. For the first time, Veretta saw a depth of sadness in his childish eyes, "a pointless question since I will never have a choice either way,"

"What do you mean by that?" Veretta asked curiously.

"Enough questions, human," Shallow glanced into the forest, "we have a visitor,"

Veretta's eyes followed Shallow's line of sight. From the shades of dark green in the sparsely plotted woods behind them, a figure stumbled frantically out of the shadows. Veretta's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Michael?!" she rushed towards him.

The moment she placed her arms around him, a chill went down her spine.

"You..you're not really here," she said slowly, "how is this possible? She glanced back at Shallow.

"He asked. I answered," Shallow replied apathetically, "should I have refused?"

"No," VEretta answered hastily turning back to Michael.

His eyes were rapidly surveying the area in state of disarray, "Where am I?" he interrogated, "A second ago I was..."

"It's my magic," Veretta interceded, "it brought you here..."

"Oh," Michael pulled back somewhat returning to his senses. His eyes finally met Veretta's gaze with a glare, "witches and their magic," he said through gritted teeth.

"Michael...are you alright? You look unwell," Veretta said sadly.

He was pale and thin, almost haggard, " Why have you brought my spirit here witch?"

"because you wanted to see me?" Veretta said with uncertainty. She would have turned to shallow for some semblance of explanation, but he had disappeared once again.

"I wanted to see you?" Michael stared down at her hostely, "I...yes..I suppose I did,"

"You don't have to worry, Michael," Veretta reassured, " we are coming to save you,"

Michael slammed a hand down on the tree behind with a sudden burst of rage, "That is the problem," he fumed, "I told you! I told you just to leave me! Why don't you listen?!"

Veretta surveyed him wordlessly for a moment, "I heard what you said. You wanted me to leave you to die,"

"YES!! Exactly. Go back! Take Ace with you and go quickly," Michael snapped.

"No," Veretta pushed past him.

"No?" Michael stared at her wide eyed and vicious, " I hardly understand you at all! I don't want to be saved. Why do you insist upon it? Don't you know Silthus already knows you're here? Just go back to wherever you came from!"

"I can't," Veretta turned to meet his gaze steadily, "Silthus destroyed it."

Michael seemed to hesitate, "well then find a new place. Do as you will. But leave this place at once,"

"This is about more than us," Veretta answered carefully. "Your capture has given the Red General a legitimate way to confront Silthus,"

"What?" Michael's brow furrowed.

"I'm saying even if I turn back, Ace won't stop," Veretta answered thoughtfully, "think about it. His actions so far don't add up. I doubt that he signed a contract with you just to get the scroll. He made it seem like he had no choice, but you made me realise, this is about something more than your rescue. Yes, he wants to save this Clover person. But is it really so simple to bring a person from the heavens? I think there is more to it than he is letting on. He's brought a whole army here. This is about to become a war, Michael,"

Michael's agitation subsided into deep thought, "So you will have your revenge after all?" his eyes came up with hesitation.

Veretta shook her head sadly, "No, Michael. I choose you. Whatever happens to Silthus, I will leave it to the gods,"

"The gods?!" Michael scoffed incredulously, " Have you lost your mind? The gods are self-serving bastards! Don't choose me. Choose your revenge. Silthus' death is worth more than my life. Do you understand?"

He stormed towards her with a level of anger far greater than his body seemed to be able to withstand. The moment he reached her side, his essence disappeared completely.

"Goodbye," Veretta said slowly.

*********

In an instant, Michael found himself back confined to the bed. He pulled himself with difficulty and let out an unsteady breath. The feeling of another presence startled him and he turned sharply to find Silthus staring back at him.

"What is your answer?"Silthus demanded.

Michael slowly turned his gaze ahead with a blank expression.

"Is there no other option?" Michael responded at length.

"Do you really care about them so much?" Silthus' eyes narrowed, "What about power, Michael? I thought that was all you wanted,"

"It is..." Michael hesitated, "I can do something else..."

"Without your powers, you're useless to me, Michael," Silthus interjected flatly.

"And so..." Michael choked back a cough and breathed jaggedly, "What...exactly do you expect me to do?"

"Go and stop them," Silthus whispered with a grin of delight, "When you face Ace your powers will be restored. If you bring them to me, there will be no need for slaughter. Do you understand me, Michael? Otherwise, I'll lock Ace up in a place without light and the others, I'll tear their limbs from their body and..."

"Enough! Enough," Michael ejected hastily, "you don't need to convince me. I believe you. I'll do it,"

"Good," Silthus clapped his hands twice.

From the barely lit darkness, Cora marched towards them with a look of uncontrolled ecstasy. Her painted face was contorted by shadow. She leaned across the bed till she was hovering over Michael.

"What are you doing?!" He struggled against her grip without success, "I said I would do it!" He turned to Silthus with anger.

"But what is to stop you from stabbing me in the back once you get your powers back, Michael?" Silthus struggled, "Or what if Ace invokes the bond you have and uses it against me?"

"What bond?" Michael questioned in disbelief, "I told you as long as he doesn't die, I don't care what happens to him!"

"That's where you're mistaken, Michael," Silthus shook his head, "The power to raise one from death is more insidious than you know. Your soul has been bound to his. He only needs to command you and you would turn against me. Just like the witch did you before,"

Michael's eyes widened, "How do you know about that?"

"I have my informants just as Ace has his," Silthus smiled, "at any rate, this battle is a long time coming. I can't have you screwing it up with a turn of heart, by choice or otherwise,"

"You can't undo the bond between him and me," Michael spat, "You'll kill me!"

"That is the beauty of a blood witch," Silthus gestured.

Michael's eyes slowly panned up to Cora who was still lingering above him. He instinctively pulled away in disgust, "A blood contract?" he faltered.

"Ah, so you're familiar with it then?" Silthus rose, "Then you know, a blood contract is an agreement between two parties. In other words, you have to agree, Michael. It will allow Cora to temporarily supersede Ace's command over you. But as you probably know..."

"She will control me," Michael exhaled uneasily, "no, I won't...I won't do it again...You can't make me!"

"Precisely!" Silthus turned to him with a murderous intensity, "You have to agree! Agree or all of them will die!"

Michael shook slightly, "How do I know you won't just force me to kill them anyway?!"

Silthus pulled back with a sigh, "You won't be able to kill Ace. His demonic magic absorbs mana. As for the others at his side. I will write it into the contract if you wish. You won't be able to fatally injure them,"

Michael went quiet. Only the cold air intruding into the room could be heard. Silthus gave a sympathetic smile that both repulsed and drew Michael's eyes.

"This is it, Michael," Silthus said softly, "If you refuse I'll kill you, then I'll kill them,"

"I..." Michael paused, "If I do this for you, you will give me the opportunity you promised?"

"Ever the negotiator!" Silthus laughed, "Of course. That's the whole point. You bring Ace to me and then you can go and get your reward. The West will be yours if you choose. As an added bonus, all your little friends get to live. What more can you ask for?"

"How long will Cora's magic last for?" Michael eyed her wearily.

"Until you've proven yourself to be trustworthy," Cora's gaudy red lips grinned from ear to ear.

"Well, what's your answer, Michael?" Silthus said once more with an air of decisiveness.